Comprehensive plan underway for City of W’boro

On Tuesday, March 5, the City of Whitesboro approved City Administrator Julie Arrington and Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Director Lynda Anderson to enter into negotiations with civil engineering firm Dunaway for the City of Whitesboro Comprehensive Plan. This approval will allow Dunaway to move forward with preparing a detailed proposal and collaborate with both the City of Whitesboro and the EDC.

According to Steven Cook, Project Manager for Dunaway, they have met with the decision board for a comprehensive plan for the City of Whitesboro. He says they will look at Whitesboro’s values, growth management, how values change, parks and recreation, housing, infrastructure and utilities, to name a few. Cook said Dunaway would like to partner with CivicBrand (a city branding agency) and will be working alongside Catalyst (an economic development solutions provider).  

With over 15 years of experience, CivicBrand specializes in public engagement, city and place branding, placemaking, wayfinding and destination management and marketing. 
Catalyst has become the national source for planning, entitlements, market analysis, infrastructure strategy, incentives and complex public/private partnerships. According to their website, they “craft economic developments that build ‘complete communities’.” 

Mayor Dave Blaylock asked Cook about the potential impact the recently-approved Dallas North Tollway (DNT) extension will have on our community. On Dec. 20, according to an article on www.ntta.org, the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) Board of Directors unanimously approved construction for an extension of the DNT. The stretch would run from US 380 to FM 428, through Prosper and Celina. This extension has been scheduled to begin Spring 2024. It would be approximately six miles and consist of three main lanes in each direction. The construction is due to be complete and open to the public by the end of 2027. 

“We see the growth that’s happening in Gainesville. We see the growth that’s coming along 377,” Cook said. “There are many communities similar to Whitesboro. Nobody knows exactly how the Dallas Tollway will affect Grayson County.” 

Cook reassured the City Council that Dunaway will focus on preparing this detailed proposal specific to Whitesboro. He said it would take a couple of weeks to create the best plan with prices. Arrington confirmed the EDC has set aside $200,000 for this project.