Growth on the horizon, Celina Record

Business growth, local development discussed at Chamber of Commerce event Lisa Ferguson, lferguson@starlocalmedia.com Feb 4, 2016 It shouldn’t be surprising that in a community on the verge of explosive growth, its business landscape is ever expanding. Celina is a prime example. Nearly five dozen local business and community leaders attended the Greater Celina Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Chamber luncheon Jan. 28. During the event, held at Carmela Winery, Chamber President Melissa Cromwell spoke about the organization’s push this year to build its membership. Meanwhile, the organization will continue to support its existing 170 members by offering business owners opportunities to become more involved with the community as it prepares for unprecedented growth. “With all the new businesses coming in (to the city), we want to make sure that we’re bonding together … so that everyone can be successful as we continue to grow,” Cromwell said. Celina Mayor Sean Terry spoke during the event and highlighted some of the programs, infrastructure and development projects that were recently completed, are scheduled to begin or are underway throughout the city. Last year, the city issued more than 480 single-family building permits. He said he expects that number to double this year. “We really feel like we’ll have a thousand building permits [in 2016], and that’s crazy to think that, but we have 11 different developments going on right now,” Terry explained. “We have a ton of businesses coming up in Frisco and Plano, and those people need to have somewhere to live.” Meanwhile, he and City Council members are keeping in mind the impact that so many new residents will have on the Celina Independent School District. “The school board has been working on their vision of where the schools are going to be, so it gives us a little time with the growth” to avoid overloading the district, he said. Given the city’s geographic footprint of nearly 80 square miles, Terry said, “We’re going to have apartments, we’re going to have multi-family (dwellings), we’re going to have all that, but we want to make sure they’re strategically placed in the city so they meet our vision and our comprehensive plan.” Part of the plan includes utilizing the First United Methodist Church building, at 112 N. Colorado St., which the city purchased several years ago. Although it continues to function as a house of worship, the place also is serving as the council’s chambers while City Hall offices undergo renovations. Terry said city officials hope to take possession of the church building later this year. Eventually the space will be transformed into an arts and theater venue. Future plans call for the adjacent Kirk Hall to become the new Celina Police Department headquarters. “We’re outgrowing that,” he said of the police department’s office space on East Pecan Street. “We went from 40-something employees a year and a half ago to 83 currently. That comes with growth.” The city is also working with the police department to implement more of its community policing practices and policies. “We want to get out there and get with the community,” Terry said. “It’s a big trend now statewide, but we take that very seriously.” Since settling into its new state-of-the-art station on Preston Road last year, the Celina Fire Department has hired firefighters, as well as a fire inspector. It has also increased its training programs, including those for swift-water rescues. Within the next two decades, the city plans to build more than a dozen new fire stations. There are also numerous capital improvement projects being planned or underway, Terry said, noting the recent completion of major reconstruction work on Ash Street, south of downtown, which included the addition of a bridge and enlarging drainage culverts. A pair of stoplights were put up at Carter Ranch Road and Sunset Boulevard on Preston Road, which was expanded to four lanes northward toward Celina High School. “These are big improvements that not only allow (for) safety but to help you get around town,” Terry said. “We’ve been proud of these accomplishments. We have a lot of things that are going on and we have a great staff that does it.” Natural gas and water lines are also being run throughout the city. “We are actively trying to stay ahead of the game as much as we can to get our infrastructure from the east to the west of our city because we know that’s crucial,” the mayor explained. “If you have water and sewer (lines), then you can bring development in, you can get the commercial (development) in.” He noted that at least two large retailers – Tractor Supply Company and Ace Hardware – are interested in opening stores in Celina. “We feel confident we’re going to get them.” Along with additional restaurants, which Terry acknowledged the city could certainly use, “We need that first good business that comes in and brings employment because … we want [Celina] to be a place where you live, work and play. We’ll be that one day. It just takes time, and we’re laying the infrastructure to be able to do that in the future.” Terry’s remarks were followed by an address from Republican Congressman John Ratcliffe, who represents Texas’ fourth congressional district, which includes Celina. Ratcliffe spoke to luncheon attendees mostly about state and national economic issues, as well as the upcoming presidential race. Following the event, he said that with its anticipated growth, Celina will likely “need a bigger voice” in government. “Its issues that are impacted by national politics are only going to increase,” Ratcliffe said. The congressman also urged local business leaders and residents to practice patience “with respect to the things that accompany growth, like construction and increased traffic” and recognize that it will “create additional benefits and opportunities for everyone that chooses to remain and live in Celina and be part of a great community.”