Carrollton’s new DART Railways groundbreaking ceremony held Sept. 8

by Minnie Payne

CARROLLTON — A feeling of excitement and accomplishment existed at Carrollton’s new DART’s Green Line expansion groundbreaking ceremony Saturday morning, Sept. 8.

The event, held at Pioneer Park (Main & Carroll), opened with welcoming remarks from Mayor Becky Miller.

“This station will be the hub of the region and one of the master hubs in the region,” she told the crowd. “It’s a very regional thing and that’s the reason we’re celebrating so much.”

Mayor Miller said that Governor Perry couldn’t attend, but sent an official plaque, which was displayed, welcoming DART into the area.

Co-emcee Randall Chrisman , Carrollton DART Board Representative, spoke next and said that the new green line would mean economic development and control of environmental issues for the City of Carrollton.

Chairman of DART Board Mark Enoch said that transit-oriented development is about putting the citizens of Carrollton where they want to be by increasing the quality of life.

“I want to thank the city of Carrollton for being such a wonderful partner,” he said. “This is a great day and we ought to be proud of it.”

Next, Peter Braster, Transit-Oriented Development Manager, unveiled three transit center logos with a brief description of each.

“This groundbreaking is a significant first tangible step on our way towards redeveloping Old Downtown Carrollton into a sustainable walkable and distinct district,” said Braster.

The first turn of the dirt was taken by Mayor Becky Miller and city council, with the second and third turns of dirt taken by DART officials and other elected officials, as well as city management staff.

Following the groundbreaking, all VIPs and the crowd proceeded from Pioneer Park to the Gazebo on the Square, where Mayor Miller and Pro Tem Matthew Marchant presented the tourism/transit center mural on the landmark grain silos.

The 2007-2010 construction of DART’s new Green Line includes three stations in Carrollton. They will be located along IH 35E at Belt Line Road, Trinity Mills (President George Bush Turnpike), and at Frankford Road, the end of the Green Line rail service. Rail passengers will be able to use the new transit service by late 2010.

“Citizens have embraced the concept of redevelopment around the three stations which will create a more urban lifestyle, oriented towards the pedestrian with a mixture of high density residential, office and retail places,” commented Braster.