City Partners with Trust for Public Land for Purchase of Doubletree Ranch as a Future Soccer Facility

At the May 26 meeting, Council held a public hearing and approved a resolution adopting the Highland Village Community Development Corporation Facilities Development Capital Improvement Program including the addition of the Doubletree Ranch as the potential site of a city soccer facility. Under the Highland Village Community Development Corporation structure, funds may be expended on two projects; construction of the city trail system and a soccer facility.  The Doubletree Ranch property has numerous trails planned throughout the site, as identified in the City’s Comprehensive Trail System Master Plan, and it provides enough space to construct a soccer facility approved by voters.

Council also approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a purchase and sale agreement with the Trust for Public Land for the purchase of approximately 37 acres known as Doubletree Ranch, 310 Highland Village Road, in an amount not to exceed the lesser of the funds used to acquire the $2.8 million deed of trust or the fair market value. Council also approved $211,000 for a conservation service agreement with the Trust for Public Land.

The City has fostered a working relationship with the Trust for Public Land (TPL) on the potential acquisition of Doubletree Ranch. TPL is a non profit organization that conserves land for communities to enjoy as parks, recreational areas, gardens and other natural places. TPL works with property owners seeking to sell land, and public agencies seeking to acquire it by structuring transactions that align their needs and facilitating a successful acquisition. The potential purchase of Doubletree Ranch would also provide park property at a time when the expansion of I-35E will significantly reduce the size and use of Copperas Branch Park. Also at this meeting Council received the intersection analysis report from Freese and Nichols for the intersections of Casltewood/Northwood and FM 2499. Council will discuss this item at their next meeting on June 9.

Council selected the 2009-2010 Mayor Pro Tem and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem. Council Member Don Combs was selected as Mayor Pro Tem and Council Member Scott McDearmont was selected Deputy Mayor Pro Tem.

During the City Manager reports, Michael Leavitt invited residents to attend the annual Highland Village Days Red, White & Blue festival to be held on Saturday, June 6.

Morning Events at Unity Park

7:00 a.m.         1K/5K Run – Sponsored by Marcus High School Cross Country and Track
                     Register at www.getmeregistered.com
8:00 a.m.        Run Begins
9:00 a.m.        Family Fish Out
11:30 a.m.       Arbor Day Proclamation

Evening Events at Copperas Branch Park

5:00 p.m.         Gates Open
6:30 p.m.         Micky and The Motorcars
8:15 p.m.         Kevin Fowler
Grand Finale    Fireworks Extravaganza