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Accomplishments and Milestones Since Being Elected In May of 2002

I have been blessed to be a part of Frisco’s growth over the past few years and we have made significant positive impacts on the current and future growth of Frisco. We have brought in sports teams, businesses, retail shops, built new roads, parks, municipal buildings, and more. We continue to have numerous events throughout the year for the citizens of Frisco and are always looking to do more. All of this is aimed at further improving the great quality of life we enjoy here in Frisco while still maintaining that small town feel. I can’t possibly list all of the great things that have happened over the past few years and all of the things that happen day in and day out but here are some of the highlights…

2002

  • In May of 2002, we updated our City Charter which had not been updated since 1987.
  • Also in May, we celebrated the groundbreaking of the Dr. Pepper StarCenter – headquarters and training facility for the Dallas Stars, as well as the home of the Texas Tornado. At total “build out”, the development – which will include hotels, retail, office and residential, as well as the sports venues – will have an economic impact of $1.54 billion dollars over ten years.
  • In August 2002, our economic engine was fueled with the announcements that four major companies were coming to Frisco. Fujitsu Transaction Solutions, QuickCARE Inc., Fieldstone Mortgage and two business units of G E Capital would bring hundreds of new jobs to Frisco. The announcement followed news that EADS Telecom would move to Frisco, bringing approximately 250 jobs.
  • In September 2002, our citizens overwhelmingly passed 10 Bond Propositions for $197.5 million dollars, which will provide our city with a new City Hall, Police Station, new Fire Stations and training facilities, Library, Recreation Center, Senior Center expansion, Heritage & Cultural Center, major road projects and a commitment to the proposed Arts District for Collin County.
  • The city budget was passed with a lowered tax rate of .337049, a reduction from the previous year of .367 per hundred dollars of assessed value. 
  • In November 2002, we had the groundbreaking of the Centennial Medical Center, Tenet Hospital’s newest medical complex and accompanying medical office buildings.

 

2003

  • In January of 2003, we approved the Information Technology Master Plan, which will help guide Frisco’s effort to become a “connected city”. 
  • Also in January, we “officially” named the RoughRiders’ new home, the Dr Pepper 7 UP Ballpark.
  • In February 2003, we established a committee to update and revise our Parks and Recreation Master Plan, originally developed in 1998.  We also updated our Emergency Management Plans for the city.  This plan was established before 9/11, but we continually update it. 
  • Also in February, we celebrated the extension of the Dallas North Tollway access lanes from El Dorado Parkway to Highway 380 with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
  • In March 2003, we welcomed Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Inc. to its new home in Hall Office Park with a tree planting for its 400 plus new employees.
  • Also in March, we celebrated a major addition to our city with the announcement of a new, 13 story, $ 40 million Embassy Suites Hotel to be built by Mr. John Q. Hammons and a $20 million, adjacent Convention Center being built by the city.  This new center will bring additional hotel/motel tax revenues to our city as a result of convention business, which helps us meet our goal to make Frisco a premier destination city.
  • April 2003 saw opening day for the Frisco RoughRiders on April 3rd with more than 10,000 people enjoying this new family entertainment venue.
  • Also in April, we announced the approval of a new $65 million soccer and entertainment complex and stadium to be located just North of Main street across from Frisco Square.  The complex will house the FC Dallas (formerly Dallas Burn) MLS soccer team in a 20,000 stadium to also be used by the FISD for football and soccer.  In addition, 17 soccer fields will bring numerous local, state and national soccer tournaments to Frisco. Major concerts and other events will also be held in this facility.
  • In June of 2003, the city council held its annual work session and developed a new set of goals to achieve by establishing seven Strategic Focus Areas that will set the stage for continued success of the city.  These goals will be highlighted throughout 2004 and beyond and we will show our progress in each area.  These focus areas are the foundation for a new concept  -- the Balanced Scorecard Approach – which is being used to measure each department’s performance.
  • In August 2003, we approved and established our Convention Visitors Bureau (CVB), designed to bring conventions and even more tourism to our city.
  • Also in August, we approved a Customer Relationship Management Program (CRM) that is designed to improve customer services for our citizens.
  • Also in August, the City Council approved an Alternative Subdivision Design ordinance that will bring greater flexibility in design of our residential communities, more flexibility in lot design, as well as increased open space and amenities. 
  • In September 2003, the EPA recognized our efforts to improve the environment and offered to feature Frisco’s Green Building Program in a video, to be distributed nationwide.  We furthered our efforts to clean up the air by purchasing hybrid electric/gas automobiles, namely the Toyota Prius, which get more than 50 pmg.  We’re also utilizing alternative diesel fuels in our fleet.
  • Also in September, the Texas Tornado hockey team opened their season in their new home at the Deja Blue Arena inside the Dr. Pepper Stars Center.  They would go on to set a North American Hockey League record for most wins in their first season and become National Champions.
  • Also in September, the official groundbreaking of our new convention center and Embassy Suites Hotel took place with many favorable comments by John Q. Hammons on Frisco’s progressive attitude.
  • In October 2003, we approved the budget for the 2004 fiscal year, which includes more than $221 million in capital projects.  Our first bond sale of $96.5 million will cover the City Hall/Library project, new Police Department, Fire Department, Recreation Center, Heritage Park, additional parks and trails and over $30 million in new road projects.  In all, in 2004 we will spend $51 million on new road construction. 
  • Also in October, we dedicated our fourth Fire Station.
  • Also in October, we began working with Via Partnerships on master plan for public art in Frisco.  We held a workshop called “Imagine Art Here” which involved citizens touring our city and giving their opinions about where and what type of art they would like to see throughout the city.
  • Also in October, we initiated a 423 Task Force (FM 423 basically makes up the western border of Frisco), which includes representatives from The Colony, Little Elm, Denton County and the North Texas Council of Governments. 

 

2004

  • In January of 2004, we celebrated the opening of our new Senior Center at Frisco Square, which is great benefit to our seniors. Attendance for our senior programs has more than doubled.
  • Also in January, IKEA announced its plans to build a 310,000 square foot facility at the intersection of S.H. 121 and the Dallas North Tollway.
  • In February 2004, we broke ground on our new Public Works facility, located just south of El Dorado Parkway and West of the BNSF railroad. This new facility now houses our streets, water, sewer, traffic, fleet services, right-of-way and meter divisions.
  • Also in February, the Frisco Soccer and Entertainment Center groundbreaking kicked off construction of a 20,000-seat stadium and 17 adjoining soccer fields, making this the largest soccer complex in the U.S. Officials from Major League Soccer (MLS), Hunt Sports Group, Frisco Independent School District (FISD), Collin County, our Economic and Community Development Corporations, as well as city leaders, staff and residents participated in this event and the dirt had been flying ever since. 
  • In March 2004, our Convention and Visitors Board announced the hiring of Marla Roe as Executive Director of our CVB. Marla has done a great job booking events and bringing convention business to our city. 
  • In April 2004, Frisco was awarded a “Tree City USA” designation, thanks to the hard work of our Parks and Recreation Department and our Urban Forestry Board. This award shows our continued commitment to making Frisco a “green” community with the preservation and continued planting of new trees throughout our city.
  • Also in April, the “Gateway to Frisco” was opened with the celebration of the new 121/DNT overpass that finished ahead of schedule thanks to the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDot) and our city working together. 
  • Also in April, the Texas Tornado Junior Hockey team won the National Championship right here in Frisco.
  • In May 2004, construction of the El Dorado Parkway overpass over the BNSF railroad got underway.
  • Also in May, our Housing Trust Fund Board started a new Homebuyer Education Class, which is free, open to the public and meets the education requirements of our down payment assistance program.
  • In June 2004, a topping off ceremony for our new 14 story, 330 suite Embassy Suites Hotel took place and construction of the adjacent 115,000 square foot Convention Center continued.
  • Also in June, the official groundbreaking of IKEA took place with the announcement it will generate $100 million in sales and $2 million in additional sales tax revenue for Frisco.
  • Also in June, the Leadership Frisco Class teamed with the city to launch a program promoting water conservation and introduced “Professor Waterwise”.
  • Also in June, during our annual summer Work Session, the City Council established our priorities for fiscal year 2004-2005.
  • In July 2004, our Third Annual Freedom Fest had an estimated 50,000 people attend to see KC and the Sunshine Band and teen sensation Stevie Brock. With almost 10,000 at the RoughRiders baseball game and 4,000 people watching the Chinese National Olympic Team play the Maverick’s summer team at the Deja Blue Arena, there were more than 60,000 people in Frisco attending functions on July 4. 
  • In August 2004, the City Hall/Library Complex groundbreaking at Frisco Square lead a very active month.
  • Also in August, we celebrated an award winning 10th National Night Out event with more than 120 parties registered throughout the city.
  • Also in August, Frisco moved to Single Stream Recycling, which has nearly doubled our recycling program participation.
  • Also in August, we started our first Public Transportation program by contracting with the Collin County Area Regional Transit (CCART) to provide a single route bus service. The free service makes a dozen stops and travels throughout our historic downtown area, to Stonebriar Centre Mall and back including stops at the Collin County Community College and the Senior Center.
  • In September 2004, Council approved the budget for 2004-2005, including $ 114 million in operating funds plus $ 43 million in Capital Projects. With the carryover of Capital Projects from previous years, we have more than $300 million in on-going projects. Council approved a tax rate reduction to .42296 per $100 valuation – which was down from our previous rate.
  • Also in September, we celebrated the dedication of Frisco Commons Park, which is a beautiful 68-acre park featuring pavilions, a lake, amphitheatre, trails and a wonderful veterans memorial.
  • Also in September, Main Street construction kicked off in the downtown area as well as in front of Frisco Square.
  • Also in September, the City web site started offering online Utility Bill Payments. 
  • In October 2004, the inaugural Frisco Story Telling Festival was held at Frisco Commons with more than 5,000 people, including 3,000 students, attending this two-day event.
  • Also in October, our Fire Department’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers answered a national call for help to aid hurricane victims in Florida.
  • Also in October, the NTTA announced it will take the Tollway all the way to 380 and the groundbreaking of S.H. 121 from the Tollway to Hillcrest was held, which includes Main Lanes, Access Roads and an overpass at Preston.
  • Also in October, the Arts of Collin County Project got a major private contribution from Craig and Kathryn Hall of Hall Financial Group in Frisco.
  • In November 2004, our Convention Visitors Bureau (CVB) unveiled a new CVB logo featuring Frisco as “Texas Rising Star”.
  • Also in November, the Frisco Fire Department held its groundbreaking for Frisco Fire Safety Town, which will be the best safety town in the U.S. and already has the commitment of 13 sponsors that will build “miniature buildings” that will help create a town aimed at helping teach our children about safety at home and on the streets.
  • Also in November, the City Council approved a major study by the Urban Land Institute to develop a plan for a “Grand Park and Development” on more than 600 acres along Stewart Creek, south of main and north of Stonebrook.
  • In December 2004, a Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee was appointed to update our Millenium Plan developed in 2000. Sixty-eight people applied and Council appointed 23 for this important committee to help shape the future of the city as we build out the remaining 65% of the city.
  • Also in December, a Downtown Revitalization Committee was appointed to help shape the look and feel of our downtown area, especially the future uses of our current city buildings to be vacated in 2006 as we move to our new City Hall/Library building at Frisco square.

 



 Political Advertising Paid for by Matt Lafata for Mayor 
Sarah Ianace, Treasurer, 6061 Pintail Lane, Frisco TX 75034 
Last Updated: February 2008