Citywide Street and Alley Improvements, Gateway and Corridor Beautification
Renovation of the Granville Arts Center
$360,000,000 – NO
Key Election Information
` Last Day to Register to Vote:
April 3, 2025
` Last Day to Apply for a Mail Ballot: April 22, 2025
` Early Voting: April 22-29, 2025
Why a bond election?
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - $75,000,000
Revitalization, Neighborhood Vitality, Land Assembly, Development Incentives (South Garland, the Medical District and Harbor Point)
Public Waterfront Access, Trails, and Other Parks and Recreational Amenities Targeted at Harbor Point
Voting Locations in Garland
` Dallas College Garland Center
` Makkah Masjid
` North Garland Library
` South Garland Library
` Vietnamese Community Center
City Council assembled a Bond Study Committee of Garland residents to evaluate existing challenges within the city and to recommend potential solutions. The Committee looked at Garland’s property and sales tax revenue, which is lower per capita than neighboring cities. Members also discussed how Garland’s population has been declining over the past few years and how it’s built out in regard to new development with less than 3% of its land area remaining vacant. The Committee determined that the current level of City services could not be sustained without future revenue growth and that an investment in public infrastructure and redevelopment could initiate future revenue growth.
Which areas of the city will the 2025 Bond Program impact?
South Garland, the Medical District and Harbor Point are areas the City would specifically target for economic development; however, the 2025 Bond Program includes street repair, redevelopment and revitalization projects citywide.
How will the bond be funded if there’s no impact to the tax rate?
As the City of Garland pays off existing debt, it frees up capacity to take on new projects — just like paying off a car loan makes room in your budget for future expenses.
The City’s current tax rate is 68.97 cents per $100 of property value, with 39.93 cents dedicated to repaying debt. As older bonds are paid off, we can issue new bonds for improvements without raising the tax rate. This financial planning allows us to invest in streets, parks, public safety and other community priorities while keeping the tax rate unchanged.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why do you issue bonds to pay for City projects rather than pay for projects with cash?
The property tax rate is composed of two parts: the Operations and Maintenance rate (O&M) and the Debt Service rate.
The Debt Service rate is set in order to generate the revenue necessary to make the City’s payments for tax-supported debt.
Bond debt can be compared to a home mortgage that is repaid over time, while O&M expenses are like the daily household expenditures that are paid for immediately, such as groceries. Like buying a house, major capital improvement projects, such as street, facilities and park improvements, have a long useful life, so their cost is typically spread out over many years and paid for by current and future residents who use them. General Obligation Bond debt is typically financed over a 17-to-20-year period.
In addition, the City of Garland’s financial strength has received high bond ratings from Standard & Poor’s (AA+) and Fitch (AAA), allowing the City to pay lower interest rates on bonds.
Is the bond election one vote or multiple?
The 2025 Bond Program is broken up into four propositions, A through D. Each proposition will be a separate item on the ballot, and each proposition can be voted on independently of one another.
Can funds approved in one proposition be used to fund projects in another proposition?
Amounts approved for one proposition cannot be assigned to another proposition, even if there are excess funds available. Expenditures must strictly conform to what was approved by voters in the election.
Will the bond election result in a tax rate increase?
There will be no tax rate increase if the bond is passed.
How does the tax rate impact what I see on my tax bill?
The City will not increase the property tax rate if the bond is passed. However, property tax bills may still go up if the appraised value of a home increases. Appraisals are determined by the county appraisal district based on market trends and property sales in the area. The same tax rate applied to a higher home value results in a higher tax bill, even though the rate itself has not changed.
What is the status of the 2019 Bond Program?
Six years later, 100% of all projects are in progress with over 70% complete. To highlight the status of just a few projects, more than two dozen parks and playgrounds have been upgraded, a new Police training facility and the first of three new fire stations have been opened, the Downtown Square has been revitalized, and the Animal Shelter & Adoption Center has been relocated. Renovations to the Central Library and a rebuild of Holford Recreation & Aquatic Center will also wrap up this year. Additionally, the Senior Activity Center replacement is currently in the bidding phase, and construction has kicked off for the expansion of Naaman School Road. For more information about 2019 Bond Program progress, visit BuildGarland.com.
How were projects selected for inclusion in the 2025 Bond Program?
The projects included in the 2025 Bond Program were recommended by a resident-led 19-member Bond Study Committee after careful deliberation over a dozen meetings and input from the residents Garland, City Council, Boards & Commissions, and City staff. The Bond Study Committee presented their recommendations to City Council for its consideration in December 2024, and City Council passed an ordinance in February 2025 to hold a bond election in May 2025. More information about the Bond Study Committee can be found at GarlandTX.gov/4329.
These projects represent what City Council intends to accomplish if bond propositions are approved by voters; however, projects and circumstances may change. In that event, the City Council could direct funding to other projects that continue to meet the public purpose of the voter-approved bond proposition(s).
What will happen if the bond doesn’t pass?
If a proposition does not pass, the City cannot issue other debt instruments to pay for the activities included in that proposition for three years. Additionally, General Obligation Bonds are the primary funding source for economic development projects, meaning future development opportunities may be constrained. Since Proposition A is proposing an enhanced approach to improving the city’s residential streets by providing additional funding on top of the City’s budget for street maintenance, should Proposition A fail, the City would be limited to the funding available in the City’s budget for street maintenance (approximately $30 million annually).
If the bond doesn’t pass/if there wasn’t a bond, would the tax rate decrease?
If the bond fails, taxes will not decrease because the bond is structured to be funded within the existing tax rate. Since there is no tax rate increase projected for the bond, its failure would not result in a lower tax rate — it would simply mean that the proposed projects would not be funded. The City’s overall tax rate would remain the same unless future budget decisions by the City Council lead to changes.
STREETS
$230,000,000
Citywide Street and Alley Improvements, Gateway and Corridor Beautification
Streets are the largest and most used part of City-maintained infrastructure. They are not only relied upon daily by Garland residents; they are also the first impression for visitors and prospective businesses. For years, streets have been identified as an area for improvement by residents and visitors alike. Proposition A offers an enhanced approach to improvements by providing additional funding on top of the City’s annual budget for street maintenance (approximately $30 million). Without additional funding, the City’s annual budget would at best maintain current average condition scores for Garland’s five main types of roadways: arterial, collector, residential, industrial and alley. At worst, the average condition scores could decrease if the number of streets being improved does not keep up with the number falling into disrepair.
` Street and Alley Improvements - $210,000,000
In 2024, the City contracted an assessment of all streets and alleys in Garland – more than 1,000 miles. A van with specialized equipment measured the ride quality of each and captured pavement defects like potholes, cracking, depressions, etc. Scores were then assigned with recommended treatments ranging from sealing of simple cracks to complete reconstruction. The results showed that Garland’s residential streets and alleys scored the lowest overall. The average condition score for residential streets was 69 out of 100 and the average condition score for alleys was 51.
Funding from Proposition A will be focused on increasing the average condition score for residential streets to 75 and the average condition score for alleys to 60 over the next five years. This focus is different than the 2019 Bond Program, which expanded high-traffic roadways to reduce congestion and widened major intersections to relieve bottlenecks.
` Gateway and Corridor Beautification - $20,000,000
As the main entry points into Garland, gateways should identify the City to passing drivers while also promoting a positive image of it. The same is true for corridors, which are primary roadways connecting areas within Garland.
A gateway or corridor’s condition can not only affect the impressions of that area’s safety and quality of life but also make or break the decisions of prospective residents and businesses to move or invest there. In Garland, aging gateways and corridors have impacted both the city’s image and ability to attract buyers, renters, developers and visitors.
Proposition A includes funding to improve the appearance of gateways and corridors through the revitalization of streetscapes, meaning medians, crosswalks and other infrastructure that lines the sides of roadways. Projects would range from the repair of broken irrigation systems to the addition of enhancements like Garland-specific signage.
Conceptual renderings of an improved gateway (above) and corridor (below) – not approved designs
Street with a condition score of 90-100
Street with a condition score of 0-24
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Revitalization, Neighborhood Vitality, Land Assembly, Development Incentives (South Garland, the Medical District and Harbor Point)
The health of Garland’s economy depends on its ability to generate property and sales tax, which can also be described as how many residents and businesses call Garland home (property tax) and how much money is spent in Garland for things like shopping, dining and entertainment (sales tax). Economic development is the process by which the City can grow its economy. For example, to attract and retain more residents, Garland can offer infrastructure, neighborhoods and amenities that appeal to them. To attract and retain more businesses, Garland can offer potential customers, which are residents and visitors. And to attract and retain more visitors, Garland can offer businesses, amenities and destinations that appeal to them. Without economic growth, the City cannot continue to maintain the services it provides such as streets, parks, public safety and more. Proposition B aims to not only improve Garland’s ability to attract prospective residents, businesses and visitors but also allow the City to sustain the services desired by taxpayers.
Harbor Point renderings were created to be conceptual and are not approved designs
` Development Incentives - $33,000,000
In order to compete with other Dallas-Fort Worth cities in the recruitment of developers who will invest in the future of Garland, the City sometimes makes an investment of its own. Development incentives can range from upgraded infrastructure to grants for entrepreneurship and innovation to small business loans to a variety of other options. The City carefully considers its use of resources to attract the type of development and redevelopment that will fit best within Garland. All incentive projects must meet minimum criteria and are evaluated for their return on investment – in other words, their ability to create places or spaces where people want to live, work and play.
Proposition B funding for development incentives targets projects in South Garland, the Medical District and Harbor Point. For example, the City owns approximately 50 acres at I-635 and South Garland Avenue, which provides an opportunity for mixed-use development to create a destination not only for Garland residents but also the 250,000 daily highway travelers.
` Land Assembly - $25,000,000
While Dallas-Fort Worth is an active real estate market, development is often driven by the availability of land, which can be a challenge for Garland. The city is mostly built out, with less than 3% of its land area remaining vacant and developable. Those available pieces are also mostly small in size. Proposition B funding for land assembly will be used to purchase property, either vacant or developed, that can be combined to create development and redevelopment opportunities.
South Garland (below), the Medical District (above) and Harbor Point are areas the City would target for economic development
`
Neighborhood Vitality - $7,000,000
Covering the largest amount of land in Garland, single-family homes and residential neighborhoods also have one of the largest impacts on the City’s economic development. They not only have the power to impact perceptions of Garland through appearance and condition; they can also potentially impact whether approximately 240,000 residents live in Garland.
If residents have a connection to or a positive experience with their homes and neighborhoods, they could potentially stay in Garland, which impacts the City’s property taxes. And if residents stay in Garland, they could potentially continue to support local businesses, which also impacts the City’s sales tax. Plus, residents could potentially invite others to visit Garland, which brings additional impact.
Maintaining the condition of housing, neighborhood amenities and infrastructure is a City priority for preserving quality of life for Garland residents. The City offers several programs to help with neighborhood revitalization and home improvement.
For example, the City’s Neighborhood Vitality Matching Grants and Home Improvement Incentive Rebate Program offer assistance to neighborhood groups and homeowners with individual projects. The City’s Where the Heart Is program also partners with one neighborhood annually to identify projects that will benefit its residents.
Neighborhood Vitality improvements include beautification, infrastructure upgrades, new amenities, traffic calming solutions and other investments. Proposition B funding for Neighborhood Vitality will help continue these efforts aimed at improving the overall condition and experience of living in Garland.
Neighborhood Vitality funding from the 2019 Bond Program is being used to turn vacant multifamiliy housing into a new park for the surrounding neighborhood
` Revitalization - $10,000,000
Aging retail shopping centers, commercial properties and industrial areas have become a common sight across Garland. But they are also a complaint in terms of the city’s image, as well as a barrier to attracting the businesses that residents and visitors desire. A façade improvement program was made possible by the 2019 Bond Program to encourage private reinvestment by property owners. Proposition B funding for revitalization will continue that program, offering grants to help renovate building exteriors.
One example of the program’s potential is 500 Main St. in Downtown. For years, this highly visible location was a vacant storefront. Now it’s the new Fortunate Son restaurant, which has gained national attention and brought visitors to Garland, ultimately stimulating economic growth.
Before After
Before After
Before new pizza restaurant Fortunate Son opened in 2024, the site was a vacant furniture store
CULTURAL ARTS
Renovation of the Granville Arts Center
` Facility Upgrades
In 2022, the City partnered with Garland’s Cultural Arts Commission to participate in a national study that measured the impact of arts and culture on the local economy. Findings showed an $18 million impact in Garland that was generated not only from ticket sales but also additional shopping, dining and lodging associated with entertainment outings. The City’s Granville Arts Center attracts more than 75,000 guests annually from across Garland and Texas, as well as 29 other states. The funding from Proposition C will allow it to remain an economic driver for the City, an amenity for residents and a destination for visitors.
` Facility Renovations
Built in 1982, the Granville Arts Center was one of the first City-operated civic centers in a suburban area, and it served as an inspiration for other communities around the country. Forty-three years later, the facility is falling behind other performing arts venues with critical systems that have reached their end of life and a lack of ADA accessible seating. Proposed renovations include replacement of the fire suppression system, electrical system and HVAC system, as well as changes to the Brownlee Auditorium, small theater and gallery space to allow for increased accessibility.
As the Granville approaches its 50th anniversary, additional upgrades are intended to ensure the facility can continue to accommodate and serve patrons for another 50 years. For example, a redesigned lobby, box office and concession area will allow for new and expanded services. The addition of classroom space will offer more opportunities for facility rental as well. And a restructured front elevation will improve the connection to Garland’s revitalized Downtown Square, encouraging economic exchange and awareness between the two.
These renderings were created to be conceptual and are not approved designs
PARKS AND RECREATION $30,000,000
Public Waterfront Access, Trails, and Other Parks and Recreational Amenities Targeted at Harbor Point
In an effort to impact quality of life, the City wants to ensure its residents have everything they need in Garland – from dining to shopping to entertainment to unique experiences. And Garland already has many amenities to offer. The City not only has a diverse food scene, spanning a range of ethnic cuisines as well as food trucks to fine dining; it’s also home to an outdoor shopping mall, a Downtown Square, a performing arts center, a PGA-caliber golf course and more. Additionally, 63 City parks offer a variety of leisure activities – from hiking to nature walks to sports courts to playgrounds. But perhaps Garland’s most unique and underutilized amenity is Lake Ray Hubbard.
Lake Ray Hubbard is one of the largest lakes in north Texas, with Garland enjoying many of its miles of waterfront real estate. From beautiful views to fishing to boating, the City’s Harbor Point area is a hub for lakeside activity. City parks and a mixed-use development featuring 270-degree waterfront create the potential to capitalize on all this area has to offer. Proposition D aims to enhance Garland’s parks and recreational amenities, specifically at Harbor Point.
John Paul Jones Park, located north of I-30 on the Harbor Point peninsula, is a destination for fishing and boating
Projected projects include the addition of walking trails that connect the entire area, from north to south of I-30, as well as increased waterfront access and activities. The City hopes this investment will not only benefit its residents but also bolster Harbor Point’s reputation as a regional destination, which will attract additional private development that benefits Garland.
GARLAND CITY COUNCIL
Scott LeMay, Mayor
214-794-8904
Mayor@GarlandTX.gov
District 1
Jeff Bass 469-831-5620
Council1@GarlandTX.gov
District 2
Kris Beard 214-418-9461
Council2@GarlandTX.gov
District 3
Ed Moore, Mayor Pro Tem 214-243-3053
Council3@GarlandTX.gov
District 4
B.J. Williams 972-926-3677
Council4@GarlandTX.gov
District 5
Margaret Lucht, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem 469-264-3556
Council5@GarlandTX.gov
District 6
Carissa Dutton 972-998-8542
Council6@GarlandTX.gov
District 7
Dylan Hedrick
469-560-6099
Council7@GarlandTX.gov
District 8
Chris Ott 972-987-9149
Council8@GarlandTX.gov
2024-25 BOND STUDY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Lindsey Fiegelman Mayor Appointee
Sharonda Green Mayor Appointee
Justin Varghese Mayor Appointee
Peter Almanza District 1
Ricky McNeal District 1
Mary Brumbach District 2
Joseph Mavero District 2
James Kalakkattu District 3
Marisol Trevizo District 3
Tim Campbell District 4
Kim Thiehoff District 4
Jaric Jones District 5
Kristin Lucido District 5
Reggie Walker District 6
Franklin Jesse Wolfe District 6
Joe Thomas - Chair District 7
John Chip VanPelt District 7
Bob Duckworth - Vice Chair District 8
Tony Torres District 8
ELECTION DAY MAY 3, 2025
VOTING INFORMATION
` Tuesday, April 22, through Friday, April 25: Early voting, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
` Saturday, April 26: Early voting, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Dallas County; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Collin County
` Sunday, April 27: Early voting, noon to 6 p.m. (Dallas County only)
` Monday, April 28, and Tuesday, April 29: Early voting, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
` Saturday, May 3: Election Day voting, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For a complete list of polling locations and required voter ID, and to view sample ballots, register to vote or request a mail-in ballot:
` Dallas County Elections - www.DallasCountyVotes.org, 469-627-8683
` Collin County Elections - www.CollinCountyTX.gov/Elections, 800-687-8546
