Centennial Master Plan

NEWS

EVENTS

MEETINGS

June 2021 UPdate.

COVID-19 Updates and Information.

2021 Park Cities Independence Day Parade.

Ribbon cutting held for Shaddock Park.

The Arbor - June 2021.

Tree and Fence damage in a small section of UP was the result of an EF-0 tornado.

Wednesday, June 16 at 10 a.m. - UP with Reading Family Performer: James Wand's "Operation Read...

Wednesday, June 16 at 11:00 a.m. - Summer Splash Story Time.

Friday, June 18 at 10:30 a.m. - Outdoor Story Time.

Saturday, June 19 at 9 a.m. - UPLift Summer Rooftop Yoga at The Lumen.

Wednesday, June 23 at 11:00 a.m. - Summer Splash Story Time.

Wednesday, June 23 at 3 p.m. - UP with Reading Virtual Crafternoon: Ocean Animals.

VIEW ALL NEWS VIEW ALL EVENTS VIEW ALL MEETINGS

Participate Now - Master Plan Virtual Town Hall

November 16, 2020

As you know, our Centennial Master Plan is in the early stages of development. This summer, many residents like yourself helped provide guidance on long-term community concerns through an online survey. As the data-gathering phase continues, you now have the opportunity to participate in a Virtual Town Hall!

The Virtual Town Hall will remain available through the end of the week, giving you the flexibility to participate at your convenience while maintaining elements of a traditional town hall. Participants will be guided through this virtual experience with an informational video, slideshow, and interactive exercises.

Tell us what you love about this community and what drives you crazy with an interactive mapping exercise (shown below). Even better, you'll be able to see what your neighbors have already shared! Most participants can expect to spend about 15 minutes completing the virtual experience.

This online format will provide a safe, self-paced experience while maintaining the collaborative nature of this engagement. An alternative option will be provided for those without online access. Contact Amanda Hartwick, Special Projects Coordinator at 214-987-5303 for more information.

Participate Now!

Click here for the full exhibits show in the Virtual Town Hall

Thanks for your feedback!

August 1, 2020

Using social media, our monthly publications and postcards that were sent to every household, in June and July we asked you and your neighbors to give the City guidance on several long-term community concerns. Response to the 20-question online survey was outstanding. More than 2,100 residents took part. Data from the questionnaire will help us build a foundation for our new Centennial Master Plan, a document that will serve the City for years to come.

This fall, after our consulting firm has analyzed the findings and our resident steering committee has reviewed a summary, we will report back. As the project progresses, there will be additional opportunities for resident input through town halls and stakeholder meetings.

Master Plan - Community Survey

June 12, 2020

As a resident of University Park you now have the opportunity to take an online survey that will provide us with guidance on numerous long-term community concerns.

The survey is 20 questions and takes just 10 minutes to complete. Gap Strategies, the consulting firm assisting us with the project, worked hard to strike a balance between length and the collection of needed information. Data collected from the survey will help to build a foundation for our new Centennial Master Plan. This fall, after Gap has had time to analyze findings, we will report back. As the project progresses, there will be additional opportunities for resident input through town halls and stakeholder meetings.

Consultant Selected & Next Steps

April 1, 2020

Last year, Council initiated a project to update the City’s Master Plan beginning with appointment of a resident steering committee to help guide the process. A full roster of committee members can be found below. The primary task for the Committee was selection of a consultant to assist us with the project.

Following an RFP review process that evaluated multiple factors including experience, qualifications, methodology, references and cost, the Committee conducted interviews in late 2019. After a second interview, the Committee selected Gap Strategies as the finalist in early 2020. The City Council formally approved a contract for their service in February. In March, Gap Strategies joined city staff on-site for a project kick-off meeting with the Committee. The group shared ideas on aspirational outcomes for the master plan update and potential topics to be explored through this process.

Next steps include development of a survey to help refine and prioritize community issues to be addressed in the new Master Plan. Gap Strategies is working now to build a survey tool that can effectively gather this essential resident input. Rollout is anticipated this May, subject to COVID-19 precautions and disruptions. We are excited to hear from the community and are confident we have the right team to facilitate this important process.

Read more in April's Arbor.

Master Plan Steering Committee Appointed

October 31, 2019

In preparation for the City’s 2024 Centennial, the City Council has asked for the development of a new master plan to assist the community with decisions and policies that will preserve and enhance the city for the next generation.

In August, Council appointed former Mayor Pro Tem Bob Begert committee chairman. Throughout September, residents wanting to volunteer for a spot on the committee had the opportunity to submit an online application. We shared information about the sign-up process in the Arbor and UPdate, on the City’s social media accounts, and on the City’s website.

In October, after a thorough review process, City Council appointed 15 steering committee members and a vice chair. Those selected represent a broad range of ages, expertise and neighborhoods. Applicants not selected for the steering committee will be asked to participate in the development of the plan through focus groups and other tasks during the course of the anticipated 18-month process.

Steering Committee Roster

Bob Begert, Chair
Dawn Moore, Vice Chair
Claire Baker
Alex Bell
Kelley Brown
Brad Cheves
Rita Clinton
Stephen Hudson
Francie Johnsen
Darrell Lane
Michael Malone
Dan McKeithen
Jenny Merkle
Jamie Slagel
John Stull
Laura Walsh
Chris Wright

Background - 1989 Master Plan

The last such effort, that took place more than 30 years ago, resulted from one of the most extensive community planning processes ever undertaken. More than 400 residents, as well as City staff, technical consultants, SMU faculty and staff, and other subject matter experts were involved in the development of that plan.

The 1989 Master Plan helped shape the allocation of resources for operational and capital needs, with nearly 200 objectives to accomplish. Of those, a substantial number are ongoing programs that are still in practice today. One example is the City’s mile-per-year replacement of water and sewer mains, which has resulted in the complete replacement of nearly a third of the City’s aging water and sewer mains.

The 1989 Master Plan was formulated with considerable input from residents through use of a steering committee, community surveys, and public listening sessions. An outside consultant supported staff, and the entire process took approximately 18 months to complete. To replicate this success, a similar public engagement process will be used for our Centennial Master Plan.

The 1989 Master Plan keyed on six overall principles:

Promote individual initiative in forging the community’s future;
Continue to operate the City on a sound, fiscally conservative basis;
Preserve and enhance neighborhood character;
Maintain and improve safety and security;
Rejuvenate aging streets and utilities;
Expand two-way communication.

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