The City of Southlake is proud to announce the completion of the North White Chapel Boulevard Project.
Join City Council and City of Southlake employees as they celebrate this major milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, August 11, 8:30 a.m. in front of the south entrance of Carroll High School.
To understand where we are going, let’s take a look back at where we’ve started.
The History
The N. White Chapel Widening Project was originally approved in 2008 as a part of the Southlake 2030 Master Mobility Plan which is an element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
The comprehensive plan serves as the framework for future planning, land use, and other assets within the City of Southlake for the next 20 years.
The recommendations within the comprehensive plan are included in the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which is a five-year plan that includes the replacement or construction of the City’s physical assets, highways, roads, and more.
With N. White Chapel Boulevard being a highly traveled road combined with the City’s goals to improve Southlake’s transportation system, approved funds were allocated toward the expansion.
Construction took place in two phases.
Phase one included the construction of the roundabout at Highland Avenue and the widening of N. White Chapel Boulevard from SH 114 to Highland with a dual-lane roundabout at the intersection of Highland Avenue and N. White Chapel Boulevard.
Phase two included expanding the road from a two-lane to a four-lane roadway just south of Highland Avenue starting at Emerald Boulevard.
The road is now complete with new sidewalks, streetlights, medians, screening walls, and new storm and sewer line improvements. A public art piece was also installed at the center of the roundabout.
“This project is a prime example of how we work with our county partners to improve mobility and safety thought the City and region,” Public Works Director Rob Cohen said.
For project updates on Southlake Mobility, follow us on the City’s Facebook page or visit www.ConnectSouthlake.com.
The City of Southlake invites you to attend a swearing-in ceremony for returning City Councilmember Ronnell Smith, returning City Councilwoman Amy Torres-Lepp, and incoming Councilmember Shawn McCaskill.
The ceremony will take place during the city council meeting on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. A reception following the meeting will be hosted in the lobby of Town Hall.
The City will also recognize and celebrate outgoing Councilmember Chad Patton.
Shawn McCaskill – Place 3
Councilmember Shawn McCaskill previously served in Place 2 in 2015 and served as Deputy Mayor Pro Temp from 2016-2019. He will return as Place 3 when he takes the Oath of Office at the May 17 City Council meeting.
Ronell Smith – Place 4
Councilman Ronell Smith returns for a second term. He initially took oath in 2019 and previously served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Amy Torres – Lepp Place 5
Councilwoman Amy Torres was recently elected to serve in Place 5 in 2021. Prior to her service as a City Councilmember, she served on the Planning and Zoning Commission. She is a Leadership Southlake Graduate, Class Graduate, and an active member of the Southlake Chamber of Commerce.
Chad Patton – Mayor Pro Tem
Chad Patton was elected to serve on the City Council Place 3 in 2016 and has served as Mayor Pro Tem since 2021. Before his service as an elected official, Councilmember Patton has served on the 2035 Corridor Planning Committee, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Parks and Recreation Board.
To learn more about the City Council, please visit the City's website.
The endeavor of public service isn’t limited to those employed in the public sector. It takes every single one of us working together for the benefit of those around us.
The Southlake value of volunteerism unites us with energy and passion to serve the community we live, work and play in. In recognition of Veterans Day, the City of Southlake proudly salutes those who served in the U.S. military and are still proudly serving their community.
Southlake resident Milan Georgia was recognized with the Congressional Veteran Commendation for the 24th District of Texas from U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne during the November 2 City Council meeting.
He served in the U.S. Army for over five years during the Vietnam War. The Army recognized his years of service with the Army Aviator Badge, Bronze Star Medal, and a Purple Heart.
"We moved here in 1995 and jumped right in to help make Southlake better for ourselves,” Georgia said. “There was no Town Square, nor was there a local grocery store.”
But Georgia’s service doesn’t stop with the military. Georgia served as a City of Southlake SPIN representative in the 1990s and was integral in the planning for turning the Town Hall development into the thriving environment it is today.
In 2016, he was recognized with a Presidential Service Award for his volunteer service with the City of Southlake.
As part of the Metroport Rotary Club, Georgia served in office positions, helping to raise over $300,000 in scholarships for local high school graduates and over $70,000 for local charities. His work as the 2005-2006 sponsorship chair for Southlake’s 50th Anniversary Celebration helped raise funds for City of Southlake Parks and Recreation projects.
Georgia is a graduate of the Southlake Citizens Leadership Academy and the Citizens On Patrol Southlake program, where he created and staffed the bicycle patrol. He also served on the City of Southlake Public Safety Department’s Citizens Association’s board.
For the past several months, Georgia has worked with the City of Southlake to establish more recognition for Southlake veterans.
"I’m trying to help the vets who are coming home from Afghanistan get the recognition they deserve instead of a cold shoulder,” he said. “I do it because I live here in Southlake and because it is what every citizen should do wherever they live, to make it better for the generations coming behind them. You might say it’s part of your civic duty.”
The City of Southlake is proud to recognize Georgia for his service to the country and to the Southlake community.
In honor of Veterans Day, the City of Southlake has placed yellow ribbons around Family Park in front of Town Hall and lit the fountain green to celebrate our community veterans. We ask that you consider changing the color of your porch lights to green this evening in recognition of our community veterans.
Interested in following in Georgia’s footsteps and serving the Southlake community? Learn more about serving on a City of Southlake board or commission or find more volunteer opportunities at www.VolunteerSouthlake.com.
With frigid temperatures expected to continue through the end of the week, here is the latest information on rolling blackouts/power outages and City of Southlake program and meeting cancelations.
Power Outages
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) advised all Texas power providers early Monday morning that they had entered emergency conditions and initiated rotating outages.
Oncor, one of Southlake’s primary power providers, said, “The length of controlled outages have been significantly extended due to the current emergency grid conditions and severe cold weather. These outages are taking place across the service territory, and ERCOT has said they could be required through Tuesday.” They also added that all Oncor customers should prepare to be without power for an extended period of time. Click here >>> http://bit.ly/Oncor3rW5i0P for Oncor’s outage map. They also have a downloadable mobile app.
Tri-County Electric provided this Facebook video update to its customers. Roughly 58,000 members are out of power, with 2,400 being snow/weather-related and 55,800 members involved in the rotating outages. Their alert page is here, and they are also encouraging their members to go to their Facebook page for updates.
The City has opened up an Emergency Temporary Warming Shelter for residents at the DPS North Facility, 100 East Dove Road. Residents who utilize the facility are encouraged to bring water and snacks. Limited electrical outlets are available for use. For more information, visit the City’s webpage.
Cancelations
City
Parks and Recreation Programs
Please visit our winter weather page on www.CityofSouthlake.com, the City of Southlake Facebook Page, and the Southlake DPS Facebook page for the latest information.
Ideas are beginning to take shape for the artwork planned to be installed at the Park Village fountain at the corner of Southlake Boulevard and Carroll Avenue.
During a joint meeting January 27, Mayor Laura Hill, the City Council and the Southlake Arts Council discussed art options and timeframe for the installation.
The Arts Council envisions a contemporary sculpture that portrays flight. The property is the former site of an airstrip. Discussions are ongoing with an artist based in Arkansas.
“Southlake’s Public Art program brings such a special feel to our community,” Mayor Laura Hill said. “Working with the Arts Council to bring another incredible piece to one of Southlake’s most popular areas is exciting. That corner deserves a special piece that captures the spirit of our City and all it represents.”
Funding for the artwork will come from a public investment agreement with the property owner that uses sales and property tax from the development.
In November, the Southlake City Council approved a zoning change and site plan for the Park Village development that included modifications to the fountain area. The fountain was deemed inoperable, and the modifications will correct issues to create a community atmosphere. The site plans call for the City to install public art.
The property owner began construction this week to modify the fountain area with an anticipated completion June 2021, weather permitting.
In an effort to accommodate space for social distancing, the December 1 Council Meeting will be held at the ballroom at The Marq Legends Hall at 5:30 p.m.
The Marq is located at 285 Shady Oaks Drive.
The meeting will also be streamed live through the Video On Demand service on the City’s website, however, due to the new location, the meeting will not be streamed on the City’s cable channel.
A recorded version of the meeting will be available on through the City’s Video On Demand service in approximately 48 hours after the meeting ends.
The City Council meeting agenda will be posted and available to view on the City's website next week. View Council meeting agendas.
City Council approved the final concept and contract for new Public Art as a tribute to Bob and Almeady Jones at the November 17, City Council meeting.
Jones was a former slave, husband, and father who became a prosperous landowner and rancher in the Roanoke-Southlake. He and his wife Almeady Jones raised 10 children together and were well-respected residents.
As a part of Southlake’s art initiative to promote public art in Southlake, the Southlake Arts Council extended an invite to local artists to submit a proposal for a commissioned sculpture in honor of the Jones Family to be placed at Bob Jones Park. Artist Seth Vandable was selected for his piece, Bob and Almeady Jones Monument.
The bronze monument depicts Bob and Almeady dressed in period attire relaxing beside a picnic, enjoying a freshly harvested summer meal after a hard day of work farming, and teaching their children to welcome visitors to the park.
The piece incorporates the agricultural history of Southlake along with the family values and work ethic which would serve as a cultural touchstone to current residents and visitors.
According to Vandable’s artist statement, he believes the sculpture will be a reflection of the City’s past.
“I believe Southlake will strongly identify with this sculpture as a beautiful timeless symbol of your strong City’s past, the strength of the family and determination to succeed in the face of challenges,” he stated.
The monument will be on display at Bob Jones Park in Spring 2021.
Funding for this project is allocated within the approved FY 2021 Public Art Fund CIP budget in the amount of $100,000.
Stay in the know with the latest news and updates from City Council, Parks and Recreation, Planning and Zoning, SPIN and more by using the City’s on-demand video service to watch meetings.
This service allows customers to access City information 24 hours day, seven days a week.
You can find your meeting is just four easy steps.
1. Visit the City of Southlake website. Scroll down and you will see a green icon labeled Video OnDemand
2. Click the Video OnDemand icon and it will direct you to a list of available videos.
3. Select the meeting of your choice.
4. Once you have made your selection, chose the meeting you would like to watch. The meeting will display along with the agenda. Customers have the option to watch the full meeting or skip to a specific agenda item. A video transcript and option to share the video are also available.
If you would like to watch a live video, follow the same instructions for 1-3 and click Live.
City of Southlake Mayor Laura Hill and the City Council announced the appointment of new board and commission members during the October 6 City Council meeting.
These volunteers assist with serving the Southlake community by working alongside City staff, Council and the Mayor to help the City strategize to implement policies, review programs and meet goals.
Members were appointed to serve a term period of two years on the following boards: Community Engagement Committee, Community Enhancement Development Corporation, Crime Control & Prevention District Board, Library Board, Metroport Teen Court, Senior Advisory Commission and the Southlake Arts Council.
If you are interested in becoming a part of one our boards or commissions, please visit our Boards and Commissions webpage.
Businesses in Town Square can now have an individualized look thanks to recent ordinances passed by City Council over the summer.
The modifications to the ordinances allow for greater flexibility for the provision of signage, administrative approval of storefront façade designs, and relieves some restrictions on the use of branding colors.
Town Square has always played a pivotal role in Southlake by serving as the heart of the community with retail, office and hotels which is highly critical for the community economically in terms of attracting visitors and other business opportunities.
The City has made recent modifications to the Town Square sign ordinance and Downtown “DT” zoning ordinance to create flexibility and efficiency in the provision of signage, store front designs and lighting with the intent to create an ordinance that streamlined the review and approval process.
The modifications to the ordinances will increase the variety and diversity in signage types to address new trends in retail while remaining complementary to building designs, the urban pedestrian-oriented environment and further placemaking efforts that may occur in the near future.
For more information on this ordinance, please contact the City of Southlake Planning and Development Services.
