The city continues to focus on its capital improvement program to promote a more liveable community through the investment in quality of life elements. Currently, 38 projects are under construction and 48 projects are being designed. Following are highlights of a few of the projects.
Animal Shelter and Dog Park
A $6.2 million, state-of-the-art animal shelter will be built on Valley View Lane, between Northgate Drive and Walnut Hill Lane. Scheduled to open fall 2009, the animal shelter will be a joint project housing the city’s Animal Services operation and the DFW Humane Society. In addition, the city has designated $325,000 for a dog park to be built adjacent to the new animal shelter. Preliminary plans include two fenced areas that will allow dogs to exercise off a leash.
Campión Trails Extension
The Parks and Recreation Department will soon complete construction on a $2.4 million extension to Campión Trails. The 12-foot-wide concrete primary trail will extend from its current end in T.W. Richardson Grove into Sam Houston Trail Park, and ultimately across the levee into Valley Ranch. The project provides foot and bike access into Sam Houston Trail Park, and connects the 5.5 miles of primary trail available in the northern section of Campión Trails. These improvements will be completed by the end of November.
Veterans Memorial Park
Artist Paul Tadlock has been commissioned to create five bronze sculptures for Veterans Memorial Park. The sculptures will be placed around the memorial plaza and depict troops from the time periods of the five major conflicts since Irving was founded in 1903: World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the post-Vietnam period. Each piece will represent the five military branches, and will be dressed in a service uniform from each era. The first piece is completed and temporarily on display at City Hall. The second phase of park construction is targeted to be dedicated in May.
West Irving Aquatic Center
The new West Irving Aquatic Center will be located on the north side of Conflans Road, across from West Park, east of Davis Street. Project planning is expected to be completed by next spring, with the aquatic center set to open Summer 2010.
Convention Center
Irving’s new 275,000-square-foot convention center will open late 2010 and will include a 50,000-square-foot, column-free exhibit hall, a 20,000-square-foot grand ballroom and 20, 1,000-square-foot conference rooms. The building has registered for LEED certification and will feature natural/untreated copper panels and cantilevered floors to create shade. The convention center is bordered by Spur 348/Northwest Highway/Loop 12 on the north, by Fuller Drive on the south side, by State Highway 114 on the west and by Las Colinas Boulevard on the east.
ADA Playground and Miracle League Field
Construction documents for the ADA Accessible Playground and Miracle League Baseball Field are complete and out for bidding. The playground and baseball field will be located in Cottonwood Creek Park on Story Road. It will be fully accessible for both disabled and able-bodied children. Designed with a tree house theme, the playground will include access ramps and wider play decks to accommodate mobility impaired children. The Miracle League Field also will be fully accessible, which will allow disabled children to participate in baseball games with the aid of a partner. Construction is set to begin in January.
City Source | ADA Playground and Miracle League FieldPosted Nov. 7
