Longtime mayor of Allen pleased with city’s economic growth

by Minnie Payne

ALLEN — When 52-year-old mayor Steve Terrell moved to Allen in 1980, the population was between 6,000 and 8,000. Today it stands at about 84,000.

“In 1991, I and a group of young involved independent business owners were interested in how the city [Allen] was going,” he said. “Our goal was to change Allen economically, so I was elected to city council.”

Terrell and his wife, Sally, co-owners of Terrell’s Dry Cleaning, have been in business in Allen for 22 years.

He grew up in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas, graduating from Lake Highlands High School in 1974.

“I went into the family business right after high school and have been an independent businessman for 35 years,” Terrell said. “In 1991, when elected to city council, we owned four or five businesses in Richardson which no longer exist.

“I’m really satisfied and happy that we put the cleaners in Allen.”

Terrell served on the city council in the Place No. 5 seat from 1991 to 1997, when he was appointed mayor by the council. Because there are no term limits in Allen, he was reelected in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2008. He was opposed in the May election by Mark Pacheco and won by a margin of 52 percent to 48 percent.

In addition to the Watters Creek at Montgomery Farm and The Village at Allen projects currently developing in Allen, Terrell said that the data centers industry is also interested in the city because of its dual feed electric system and fiber optic cabling.

“Also under construction is the extension of the main lanes of state Highway 121 from Hillside all the way to the intersection of U.S. 75,” he said. “Included in that project is going to be a new interchange at 121 and 75.”

Approximations are that the city will be built out by 2011 or 2012, he said.

“Allen has been and is being designed by its citizens because council has listened to them over the years,” Terrell said. “I think that by listening, I’m serving Allen in the same way I have since [appointed] mayor in 1997.”

He most enjoys learning about the city’s people and making things creative and exciting for them, he said.

Terrell said that he wasn’t totally shy in school, but didn’t like being the center of focus.

“I didn’t like to get up in front of the class and make a speech and when I first started as mayor, the public speaking side of it was sort of gut wrenching,” he said.

He spends 35 to 40 hours a week on mayoral functions and by being self-employed, he’s at liberty to be available when needed.

As far as work ethics and drive, he said that his mother, father, and an uncle had a big influence on him.

“I’ve worked with many mayors over my 30 years in public administration and Mayor Terrell has more commitment and passion for his community than any mayor I’ve ever worked with,” said Allen City Manager Peter Vargas. “I enjoy working with him and it’s amazing how often we agree on issues.

“I believe it’s called communication.”

Terrell has been married to his wife, Sally, for 32 years, and they have two children, Stephanie, 28, and Aaron, 26.

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