Prosper - Celina Edition | October 2024

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Prosper Celina Edition VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 OCT. 26NOV. 28, 2024

2024 Higher Education Guide

Room to grow Celina, Prosper plan for future public safety needs

BY ALEX REECE

As the populations of Prosper and Celina continue to climb, so have the calls for emergency services. Increased budgets for both communities are projected to ease those growing pains while planning for the future expansion of public safety services, ocials said. Celina’s rst responders typically see a 10-20% uptick in emergency calls every year, said Justin Beamis, Celina Fire Department’s division chief of training and logistics. Celina’s population is projected to jump by 11,000 people in the next year, according to budget documents. “With growth comes calls,” Beamis said. Prosper is experiencing a similar increase. Police Chief Doug Kowalski said he has noticed an increase in calls for police service as the population grows but the crime rate, which involves dividing reported crimes by every 1,000 residents, has overall stayed the same. Prosper Fire Chief Stuart Blasingame said the re department has seen an additional 2,000 calls over the last year, or a roughly 8% increase. “We feel good where we’re at and with [Fire Station No. 4 opening in 2026], I feel very condent to be able to continue to maintain that high level of excellence that our resi- dents expect,” Blasingame said.

Prosper reghter and paramedic Ramses Escobar stands next to a re engine outside of the town’s Central Fire Station, one of three stations currently operating. A fourth, which will be Prosper’s second-to-last station, is projected to open in 2026.

CONTINUED ON 22

ALEX REECECOMMUNITY IMPACT

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PROSPER CELINA EDITION

Impacts

Prosper

cosmetic, pediatric and restorative services. • Opened in August • 100 S. Preston Road, Ste. 20, Prosper • www.activedentalprosper.com 3 Neighborhood Vet Care The business offers a variety of services for pets including puppy and kitten care, wellness care, senior pet care, and parasite care. It also offers veterinary surgery, dental care, diagnostics, and microchipping . • Opened in October • 590 Frontier Parkway, Ste. 100, Prosper • www.neighborhoodvc.com 4 Legacy ER & Urgent Care The 11,072-square-foot facility combines urgent care and emergency services. The Prosper facility will have a 24/7 emergency room. • Opened Oct. 21 • 211 W. Frontier Parkway, Prosper • www.legacyer.com/locations/prosper-tx

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• Opened early October • 1500 W. Frontier Parkway, Prosper • www.abbottscustard.com

Now open

Coming soon

1 Abbott’s Frozen Custard The chain will sell frozen custard, milkshakes, flurries and floats, as well as pints and novelty items, such as frozen bananas.

2 Active Dental The business offers a number of dental services, including fillings, teeth repair and more, as well as

5 Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming The business offers spa services, gourmet treats, and premium pet nutrition and foods.

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• Opening February 2025 • 900 S. Preston Road, Ste. 10, Prosper • www.woofgangbakery.com

offers bagels, which are made in-house at the Prosper location. Flavors include classic bagels such as onion, sesame and cinnamon sugar as well as premium flavors including bacon cheddar and chocolate chip. • 2381 E. University Drive, Ste. 10, Prosper • www.legacybagels.com 9 Flame Broiler The restaurant will offer Korean inspired bowls and plates. Customers will choose from chicken, beef or tofu with a choice of brown rice, white rice, vegetables or salad. • Opening TBD • 4580 W. University Drive, Ste. 30, Prosper • www.flamebroilerusa.com

Relocations

6 Nordstrom Rack The 26,000-square-foot store will feature the off- price retail division of Nordstrom, Inc. The store offers customers up to 70% off on apparel, accessories, beauty products, home decor and shoes from the top brands sold at Nordstrom stores. • Opening fall 2025 • 1191 Gates Parkway, Ste. 200, Prosper • www.nordstromrack.com 7 REI Co-op The specialty outdoor retailer announced it was opening a new 23,848 square-foot store at The Gates of Prosper in a Oct. 18 press release. REI offers an assortment of apparel and gear for camping, fitness, cycling and more. • Opening in 2026 • Located on East University Drive and Preston Road • www.rei.com

11 Lily Claire The boutique has temporarily relocated inside Inappropriate Trucker Hats on Broadway Street as its new location is not ready for business. The business, which was located at 201 S. Main St., offers a mixture of boho, modern and vintage apparel. • Relocated Sept. 27 • 116 W. Broadway St., Prosper • www.shoplilyclaire.com

Closings

10 Spenga The gym, which was located in the Gates of Prosper, offered three 20-minute workout segments focusing on cardio, strength training and yoga. • Closed in the summer • 900 S. Preston Road, Ste. 30, Prosper • www.spenga.com

In the news

8 Legacy Bagels Tim Phillips took ownership of Legacy Bagels. Its menu

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Impacts

Celina

BY DUSTIN BUTLER & HANNAH JOHNSON

Now open

134

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WALNUT ST.

Celina

1 Portrait Church The nondenominational church meets in the Martin Elementary School and is affiliated with Rock Creek Church, according to the website. The church holds two services on Sundays, one at 9 a.m. and another at 10:30 a.m. • Opened Sept. 15 • 2905 N. Louisiana Drive, Celina • www.weareportrait.church

E. OUTER LOOP

FLAGSTONE DR.

2478

428

FRONTIER PKWY.

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• Opening Nov. 1 • 17121 Flagstone Drive, Celina • www.thegreenmeadowsmontessori.com

include classic bagels such as onion and sesame. • 2750 Preston Road, Ste. 102, Celina • www.legacybagels.com

Now open

2 Peace Love Wax The business offers waxing and sugaring services. • Opened Aug. 20 • 701 N. Preston Road, Ste. 100, Celina • www.peacelovewax.com

4 Take 5 Oil Change The business offers drive-thru oil changes, and other maintenance services. • Opening TBD • Corner of Preston Road and Frontier Parkway • www.take5.com

Closings

6 Bongo Beaux’s Bongo Beaux’s Bourre Palace and Cajun Kitchen offered Cajun dishes such as red beans and rice, po’boys and seafood baskets. • Closed in September • 218 W. Walnut St., Celina

Coming soon

In the news

3 Green Meadows Montessori Academy The school offers classes for kids 12 months to 6 years. The academy’s curriculum promotes respect for the environment and connection with nature.

5 Legacy Bagels Tim Phillips took ownership of Legacy Bagels. Flavors

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Government

BY HANNAH JOHNSON & ALEX REECE

Celina breaks ground on new Downtown Center project The Downtown Center is estimated to cost around $93 million altogether using both bond funds and non-bond city funding.

A new parking garage is expected to bring additional spaces to downtown Celina by next fall. City ocials celebrated breaking ground on the new Downtown Center, previously referred to as Celina’s government center, and its accompanying parking garage Oct. 15. “It’s a monumental day for the history of Celina,” Mayor Ryan Tubbs said. “This is another step in the community’s investment to expand our library [and] be able to oer stellar services from the sta ... to support our existing residents as well as our future residents.” In case you missed it Celina City Council members approved a $19.3 million maximum price for the Downtown Center’s 400-space parking garage in September. The parking garage will help alleviate some of the congestion in downtown Celina, Tubbs said. “This [downtown center project] has been a long time coming,” Tubbs said.

The center, which will be a three-story and roughly 100,000-square-foot building, will be located at the corner of Walnut Street and Arizona Drive next to the existing City Council chambers. The center will bring all of Celina’s city sta to one facility. Aside from providing a centralized hub for city departments, other center amenities include: • A larger library space • Community rooftop deck and event space • Indoor atrium area What comes next? The parking garage is expected to open in October 2025. Once it opens, construction can kick o on the rest of the center, which is expected to open in November 2026.

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Government

Prosper discusses 2025 bond election possibility The 30,000-foot view of Prosper’s upcoming proj- ects could include a multimillion-dollar price tag. Prosper Town Council members discussed the possibility of calling an estimated $150 million bond program for a Nov. 4, 2025 election, and what it would look like for residents, during an Oct. 8 meeting. The bond program’s total could change over the next several months as town staff work to refine a list of projects and costs, according to a meeting presentation. Current situation Deputy Town Manager Bob Scott said projects included in the bond election would touch on all five of the town council’s strategic visioning priori- ties, which includes accelerating infrastructure and ensuring the town’s commercial corridors are ready for development.

Prosper adds to Lakewood Park plans A Prosper parks project is getting a fund- ing boost for additional features. Prosper Town Council members approved an additional $411,819 for Lakewood Park construction during an Oct. 8 meeting. In a nutshell The additions include: • 52 parking spaces added to the existing lot and a second lot • Fence extensions and wind screening around four pickleball courts Lakewood Park was a 2020 bond project and will bring a designated cricket field and pitch to Prosper. Construction was expected to finish in January 2025 but could last until the summer, according to Prosper’s capital improvement projects dashboard.

Next steps for a bond election

2024

October-November: Bond committee begins meeting to explain timing, process and status of previous 2020 bond program projects

December 2024-March 2025: Town staff identify projects and calculate cost estimates

2025

March: Cost estimates refined for staff- identified projects

April-June: Bond committee receives project presentations and prioritizes them into ballot questions

July 8: Committee presents recommendations to council

July 22: First meeting where council can call the election

Aug. 12: Last meeting for council to call the election

Oct. 20-31: Early voting

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BY ALEX REECE

Celina could amend city charter in 2025 Celina City Council members formed a 17-member city charter commission during an Oct. 8 meeting. What we know Council members have recommended three items to include in the discussions: • Term limits • Role of City Council in appointing and terminating department heads • Clarifying relationship of mayor and City Council Going forward Charter commission members must pres- ent their recommendations by Jan. 14, 2025 to stay on track with a May 2025 election for residents to consider the amendments.

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Celina fee updates include senior center Celina City Council members approved updates to the city’s master fee ordinance—a compilation of all city-related fees including permits, various memberships and utilities—on Oct. 8. The breakdown Included in the updates was a breakdown of the

new membership fees for the Ralph O’Dell Senior Center. Most city departments did not submit any fee changes this year—fire, emergency medical services (EMS), planning, library, health, utility, sanitation and tree mitigation will stay the same. Some context Celina staff update the fee chart regularly, Direc- tor of Development Services Dusty McAfee said. Any new fees, aside from the senior center’s fees which were approved last month, went into effect when council approved the ordinance.

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Government

BY ALEX REECE

Prosper’s first responders celebrate National Night Out Members of Prosper’s fire and police departments spent the evening hours of Oct. 1 attending neighborhood block parties for National Night Out, an annual get- together for first responders and community members. National Night Out not only promotes relationships between Prosper’s first responders and residents but also helps neighbors get to know each other and commit to looking out for one another, according to the town’s website. This was Prosper’s 40th year celebrating the event, according to the town’s website. Celina also hosted a National Night Out event on Oct. 1. 1 A Prosper police officer pins a light onto a young resi- dent’s shorts at an Oct. 1 National Night Out block party. 2 Children stand around a Prosper fire truck. 3 Prosper Police Chief Kowalski hands a sticker to a young resident. 4 Prosper Fire Department members stand for a pho- to at a neighborhood’s National Night Out party.

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Education

BY HANNAH JOHNSON

Prosper ISD earns full U.S. Army JROTC status Prosper ISD’s National Defense Cadet Corps program has transitioned to a full U.S. Army Junior Reserve Ocers’ Training Corps program. The program transition became eective Aug. 12, according to a district newsletter. The military readiness program was introduced to PISD in the 2022-23 school year after a donation from the Prosper Education Foundation. While housed at Rock Hill High School, the program is available to all PISD high school students. What it means The U.S. Army JROTC is a leadership and citizen- ship program that helps high school students develop life skills and values. The program’s curriculum is focused on leadership, citizenship, personal responsibility, character education and life skills, according to the district’s website. The program advancement will allow students

Celina ISD voters to consider tax rate Celina ISD voters are being asked to approve the district’s tax rate in an election. The specics The district’s total tax rate would be $1.2358 per $100 valuation, if approved by voters. This is broken down between $0.7869 for maintenance and operations, which funds payroll, and $0.4489 for debt payments. If the maintenance and operations tax rate increase is not approved by voters, then the district’s tax rate will still be $1.2358 per $100 valuation, but split dierently between the M&O and debt payment portions. Early voting runs through Nov. 1, with Election Day on Nov. 5.

“This transition will open up even more opportunities for our students to develop leadership skills, civic

responsibility and personal growth.” HOLLY FERGUSON, PROSPER ISD SUPERINTENDENT

to benet from uniforms, equipment and curricu- lum provided by the Army. About the program PISD’s program is staed by two retired U.S. Army personnel—1st Sgt. Sedric Wade, who serves as the Army instructor, and Sta Sgt. Michael Songy, who serves as the senior Army instructor. The program’s curriculum is designed to prepare young students to enter adult society, according to the district.

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Education

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

Higher Education Guide

2024

Welcome to Community Impact ’s annual Higher Education Edition. This guide features the latest updates and resources about local higher education institutions in your community. All the stories were written by our team of local journalists, and all our advertisements are from nearby businesses who support our mission to provide free, useful news. In this year’s edition, our team of reporters bring your stories about the University of North Texas and Collin College. You can also nd more information on regional higher education institutions.

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Meet new University of North Texas president (Page 15)

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Find a local college, university in North Texas (Page 18)

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Collin College sees growth in cybersecurity degree programs

Collin College saw an over 20% increase in enrollment for its cybersecurity programs from the 2022-23 academic year to the 2023-24, according to college data. Damien Smith, director of the college’s cyberse- curity program, says the increase is tied to growth in the cybersecurity industry, as well as business growth in the region. “Dallas-Fort Worth, [the] North Texas area, is growing massively, exponentially, and there’s denitely some opportunities for people with certain skills in cybersecurity to ourish in that environment,” Smith said. The details Collin College began oering a dedicated cybersecurity program in fall 2008 and 18 stu- dents enrolled the rst semester. The Bachelor of Applied Technology in cybersecurity was intro- duced in spring 2020, with 24 enrolling the rst semester.

The school now has over 2,000 students enrolled with a declared major in cybersecurity, Smith said. About the program The cybersecurity industry has various focuses, Smith said, such as information assurance, aimed at protecting personal data and health infor- mation. Other focus areas include penetration testing, ethical hacking, digital forensics and risk management. “Technology is playing more of a role in every- one’s lives, whether it’s the car you drive or the appliances you use at home, they’re all connected to the network somehow, someway,” Smith said. “Protecting that data that [the] technology uses and relies upon is crucial, and we need trained professionals that understand that technology.”

Degree growth

Students enrolled

Bachelor's of Applied Technology in Cybersecurity 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 24 67 195 323 444

Associate of Applied Science in Information Systems Cybersecurity

538

2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24

790

1,203

1,489

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SOURCE: COLLIN COLLEGECOMMUNITY IMPACT

PROSPER CELINA EDITION

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Education

BY HANNAH JOHNSON

Q&A: University of North Texas President Harrison Keller outlines visions for university future

process with the aim of putting that into its first iteration in implementing this new process starting in January. There needs to be a much clearer, more transparent connection between our priorities and how we’re budgeting our resources. The second area is around research. Our state policymakers created a new endowment to lift more Texas institutions into that top tier of research universities in the nation and in the world. We want to make sure that we’re spending those effectively and efficiently in line with their intended purpose, which is to grow our research and discovery and innovation mission. We want to work on research that really makes a difference for our region and for the state of Texas. The third area that we’re working on is around student success. We need to commit to students that they’re going to succeed. Not just in com- pleting a program, but in having the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, the skills [and] the credentials that will help them land a good job and will give them the momentum they need into their careers. We need to make sure that our students are equipped with what they need to be competitive in tomorrow’s workforce. What goals do you have for Frisco Landing? We are already making a few changes around our approach for Frisco. Some of the goals are to be much more closely engaged with our employers, with the city, with the Economic Development Corporation and with other stakeholders in Frisco. The workforce needs are changing incredibly fast. All those employers are asking where the talent is going to come from. It’s important that we work

Harrison Keller began his service as the 17th pres- ident of the University of North Texas on Aug. 1. Keller succeeds Neal Smatresk, who led the university for the past decade. Keller previously served as the commissioner and CEO of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board since 2019. The board is a state agency that helps Texans obtain a postsecondary education and oversees higher education policy. Before he was commissioner, Keller was a faculty member and administrator of The University of Texas—Austin. Keller spoke with Community Impact about his priorities goals for UNT’s future. Answers have been edited for length, style and clarity. How have your first few weeks as president been? It’s been really amazing. The welcome from folks on campus, from the community, from [UNT at] Frisco [and] donors, has been very warm. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the campus and getting to know people here at UNT. I’ve spent a lot of time, especially my first six weeks or so, in one-on-one meetings with all the deans, all the vice presidents, some of our department chairs [and] the student leaders. What priorities do you have for UNT that you would like to accomplish in your first year? There are three areas that emerged as important priorities where we need to do some deeper work. First is around how we budget. We need to make sure that we’re budgeting the dollars that have been entrusted to us by students and their families and by the state of Texas as effectively and efficiently as we can. We’re working on a new strategic budgeting

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closely with employers to understand how their workforce needs are changing and then feed that information back into our design programs, into our plans for what kinds of degrees [and] executive and professional education we provide in Frisco. We don’t just want to provide programs, we want to help solve problems. What are some of the challenges higher education is facing right now? The basic design of most universities was for a time when only about a third of your population had a college degree [and] when higher education was something that people did to advance their standard of living, not to maintain their standard of living. The requirements have completely changed. In Texas, more than 92% of the net new jobs require some kind of education and training beyond high school diploma.

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Education

BY HANNAH JOHNSON

University of North Texas offers new wine, beer program

University of North Texas students now have the opportunity to learn how wine and beer is made at an industrial level. The Enology and Brewing Undergraduate Minor program launched at UNT at Frisco in the fall 2024 semester. The 18-hour program includes courses on enology, the study of winemaking, and the brewing process for beer. It also offers cross-disci- pline courses in business and marketing. UNT’s program is unique with only about half a dozen universities across the United States offer- ing a similar program, clinical professor Andrew Snyder said. He explained UNT’s program is not focused solely on textbook information, but allows students to use the equipment and work directly in the development process. “This will be a very hands-on program, both on the brewing side and the winemaking side,” Snyder said. “That’s where you get the best experiences.”

About the program The minor program gives students the skillset to work in the wine and beer industry. This includes leadership, teamwork, sales and marketing, distribution methods and merchandising, among others. Texas is in the top 10 states for the number of craft breweries and wineries, which contribute over $20 billion in economic value to the state, according to the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association. This includes more than 500 wineries and 443 growers across 4,000 acres dedicated to grape-growing. Having a minor in enology and brewing will help boost student’s resumes for wineries and other distributors, Snyder said. “A program like this will supply the wine industry,” Snyder said. “This is a program that’s in need.”

Potential jobs

• Enologist • Wine buyer • Cellar master • Vineyard manager • Retailer

• Production planner • Sales manager • Warehouse manager • Restaurant or bar manager

SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Looking ahead A possible program expansion includes the program earning a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Com- mission license that would allow the university to sell the wine and beer students make. Program leaders are also pursuing establishing a sister city relationship for the city of Frisco with another enology or brewing city. “This is another opportunity for Frisco to be on the map,” Snyder said.

From physics and literature to education and art , Collin College offers more than 200 bachelor’s degree , associate degree , and certificate options. Visit the Celina Campus to learn more. Registration begins Oct. 24. Apply now!

PROSPER - CELINA EDITION

Education

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

College Guide

University of North Texas College type: four-year

2024

Levels of degrees offered: bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees and certificate programs Admission rate: 72% (whole school) • 1155 Union Circle, Denton • www.unt.edu University of North Texas at Frisco College type: four-year Levels of degrees offered: bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees Admission rate: 72% (whole school) • 12995 Preston Road, Frisco • www.frisco.unt.edu University of Texas at Arlington College type: four-year Levels of degrees offered: bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees Admission rate: 81% • 701 S. Nedderman Drive, Arlington • www.uta.edu This list is not comprehensive.

Amberton University — Frisco College type: two-year, four-year Levels of degrees offered: bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees Admission rate: 100% • 3880 Parkwood Blvd., Bldg. 7, Frisco • www.amberton.edu

Levels of degrees offered: bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees Admission rate: 43% • 2800 S. University Drive, Fort Worth • www.tcu.edu Texas Wesleyan University College type: four-year Levels of degrees offered: bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees Admission rate: 58% • 1201 Wesleyan St., Fort Worth • www.txwes.edu Texas Woman’s University College type: four-year Levels of degrees offered: bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, certificates Admission rate: 93.6% • 304 Administration Drive, Denton • www.twu.edu

• Locations in Bowie, Corinth, Denton, Flower Mound, Gainesville and Graham • www.nctc.edu Southern Methodist University College type: four-year Levels of degrees offered: bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees

Admission rate: 52.3% • 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas • www.smu.edu

Dallas College College type: two-year, four-year

Collin College College type: two-year, four-year Levels of degrees offered: associate degrees, some bachelor’s degrees, noncredit and certificate programs Admission rate: 100% • Locations in Allen, Celina, Farmersville, Frisco, McKinney and Plano • www.collin.edu

University of Texas at Dallas College type: four-year Levels of degrees offered: bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees Admission rate: 65% • 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson • www.utdallas.edu

Levels of degrees offered: associate degrees, some bachelor’s degrees, noncredit and certificate programs Admission rate: 100% • Locations in Coppell, Dallas, Garland, Irving, Mesquite, Pleasant Grove and Richardson • www.dallascollege.edu

Tarrant County College College type: two-year Levels of degrees offered: associate degrees Admission rate: open-admission institution (100%) • Locations in Arlington, Fort Worth and Hurst • www.tccd.edu

North Central Texas College College type: two-year Levels of degrees offered: associate degrees Admission rate: 100%

Texas Christian University College type: four-year

PROSPER 950 S Preston Rd (469) 535-5539 LITTLE ELM 27100 Hwy 380 (972) 347-9630

Transportation

BY ALEX REECE

Celina OKs $572K road equipment purchase Multiple new pieces of equipment will be used to help maintain Celina’s roads. The details Celina City Council members approved five purchases totaling $572,131 for various equipment for the city’s street department during an Oct. 8 meeting. • Arrow board trailers: $12,030 • Interstate trailer to haul large equipment: $42,698 • Asphalt paver base machine: $210,846 • Bucket truck: $203,451 • Cement crack sealers: $103,106 The new equipment will allow Celina’s street department to conduct repairs them- selves, according to meeting documents.

CHAUCER DR.

DENTON WAY

FRONTIER PKWY.

FIRST ST.

DALLAS PKWY.

ACACIA PKWY.

KEY:

Pedestrian signals Traffic signal equipment

GEE RD.

COPPER CANYON DR.

LOCKWOOD DR.

SOURCE: TOWN OF PROSPER/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Prosper intersections to receive new equipment Prosper Town Council members approved a $350,805 order for seven pedestrian hybrid beacons and traffic signal equipment packages during a Sept. 24 meeting. The gist The beacons, which are traffic lights that alert drivers to pedestrians, will be installed at:

• First Street and Copper Canyon Drive intersection • First Street and Chaucer Drive intersection • Gee Road and Lockwood Drive intersection As part of the contract, traffic signal equipment including traffic controller cabinets and battery backup units will be installed at: • Gee Road and Acacia Parkway • Denton Way and Fishtrap Road • Dallas Parkway and Frontier Parkway It will take about six months for the equipment to be delivered, according to meeting documents.

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Real estate

The number of homes sold increased in two zip codes while it dropped 19.78% year-over-year in the 75078 zip code. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

Average days on market

+15.27%

-19.78%

+0.68%

+64.86%

+14.03%

+9.43%

September 2023

September 2024

75009

75078

76227

75009

75078

76227

377

75009

289

Number of new listings

Median home price in the last 6 months

76227

+21.21%

+33.96%

+8.02%

75009 $647,500

75078

380

75078 $850,000

Homes sold by price point

August 2024

76227 $389,789

$1 million+

75009

75078

76227

$700,000-$999,999

Median home sales price

$400,000-$699,999

September

2023

2024

$100,000-$399,999

$592,500

$637,400

75009

<$100,000

$787,400

$760,000

75078

MARKET DATA COMPILED BY COLLIN COUNTY AREA REALTORS • WWW.CCAR.NET

$401,495

$379,900

76227

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PROSPER CELINA EDITION

Room to grow From the cover

Prosper’s general fund budget

Celina’s general fund budget

The big picture

Public safety funding

Public safety funding* General fund remainder

$60M

Prosper and Celina council members approved their respective fiscal year 2024-25 budgets in September. Both budgets saw funding increases for their fire and police departments, according to city documents. Included in Prosper’s police budget was nearly $400,000 in grants to add onto the town’s Flock Safety camera system, a network of license plate-scanning cameras that monitor streets for vehicles reported stolen, involved in a recent crime or listed in an Amber Alert. “Investing in those types of tools [is] allowing our public safety to do more with the same amount of people,” Prosper Finance Director Chris Landrum said. Prosper’s Fire Department received funding for radio replacements and membership to an online paramedic school, which allows firefighters to complete required paramedic training in Prosper and remain available to go on duty, Blasingame said. The 9-10 months of online lessons are coupled with in-person training. In Celina, the fire department saw an increase in funding for new staff and equipment, Beamis said. “Making sure that we have the personnel always readily available and then [keeping] as many resources in the city as possible is extremely important,” Beamis said. “Having that budget increase will definitely help us achieve that.” The Celina Police Department received funding for new staff as well, Celina Police Chief John Cullison said. Officers typically spend 60% of their shifts engaged on calls for service and 40% on active cases and in the community, he said. If officers are consistently spending more than 60% of their time each shift on call, then it is time to hire more staff, Cullison said.

$50M

$40M

$30M

$20M

$10M

Fiscal year $0

2024-25 public safety funding highlights:

New staff including an administrative assistant, which will free up officers for patrol

More mental health program funding for both police and fire

A study on Celina PD’s future building expansions

New dispatch supervisor

Two new school resource officers

Fire engine maintenance

New police officer safety equipment

New police and fire equipment

SOURCE: CITY OF CELINA/COMMUNITY IMPACT

*PROSPER DOES HAVE SOME NON-GENERAL FUND PUBLIC SAFETY FUNDING. SOURCE: TOWN OF PROSPER/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY ALEX REECE

What comes next?

Zooming in

priorities for Prosper’s council is accelerating infrastructure, which in turn helps first responders get to emergencies faster, he said. The town will also need roads going to and from Fire Station No. 4, which is currently being designed. “Right now, we could be as much as 10 or 11 minutes out there to the east side of town, which is a long time,” Blasingame said. “That will reduce having that station out there.” Celina’s budget also has funding for a new street crew and money set aside for more street main- tenance equipment, Celina City Manager Robert Ranc said in an emailed statement. The Celina Police Department is also gaining two new traffic officers through the budget, Cullison said. “As the city develops, there will be continued investment in public safety, including new fire stations and new firefighters and police officers,” Ranc said. “This investment will be vital to keeping our residents safe as the city continues to grow.”

Prosper and Celina both have a growing tax base that funds public safety though they are funded through their budgets differently. Public safety funding in Prosper does not only come from revenue in the general fund. It also comes from two special purpose districts, which are funded by a portion of the town’s sales tax revenue. The special purpose districts mainly go toward salaries for first responders, Blasingame said. Celina’s public safety departments are solely funded through the general fund. Funding increases for public safety departments are typical for a growing community, Beamis said. “One of our strategic goals as a city is, ‘Be the city built on public safety,’” Cullison said. “When you do that, you also have to budget for it.” Some parts of a budget may seem unrelated to public safety but still contribute in other ways, Prosper Engineering Director Hulon Webb said. Aside from public safety, one of the top

One project on the horizon in both Prosper and Celina is a fourth fire station. For Prosper, the new station will be located near E. Prosper Trail and be the second- to-last to open before the town reaches buildout. Celina’s Fire Station No. 4 will go inside the Public Safety Campus along Punk Carter Parkway which hosts Celina’s police headquarters and will one day include a city-run emergency dispatch center.

2026: Prosper Fire Station 4 opens Celina Fire Station 4 opens

2027: Celina dispatch center projected to open

SOURCES: CITY OF CELINA, TOWN OF PROSPER/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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You’re important.

Today, put yourself first.

PROSPER - CELINA EDITION

Events

BY DUSTIN BUTLER

and offers attendees a chance to get outdoors and shop local, all while supporting local businesses, artisans and farmers. The event features more than 60 vendors that have homemade and homegrown items. • Nov. 1, 6-9 p.m. • Free • 302 W. Walnut St., Celina • www.lifeincelinatx.com/fnm Bubble Palooza Head to the Prosper Community Library for a Bubble Palooza. Attendees will have a chance to play with bubbles of all sizes outside. • Nov. 8, 11 a.m.-noon • Free • 200 S. Main St., Prosper • www.prospertx.gov/306/library Celina Turkey Trot This 5K benefits Lovepacs, an organization that focuses on feeding children in need. Along with races, the event will include live music and a Thanksgiving-themed

October

Trick or Treat The Prosper Community Library will host a trick or treat around the library for children with special needs. Library staff will provide non-food items on both floors of the library. Wheelchairs are welcome with the use of the elevator. Costumes are not required. • Oct. 28, 6-7 p.m. • Free • 200 S. Main St., Prosper • www.prospertx.gov/306/library

November

Prosper Veterans Day 5K & Fun Run The event will begin with a program to honor veterans. The 5K will start at 8:30 a.m. and the one-mile Fun Run will follow at 9 a.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Veterans Memorial, slated for construction at a future date at Frontier Park. Runners of all skill levels are encouraged to participate. • Nov. 9, 8-11 a.m. • $25-$45 • Frontier Park, 1551 Frontier Parkway, Prosper • www.prospertx.gov

Prosper Public Works The Prosper Publics Works Department will have machinery set up at the Prosper Community Library. The event will allow children to explore vehicles. • Nov. 1, 11 a.m.-noon • Free • 200 S. Main St., Prosper • www.prospertx.gov/306/library Friday Night Market The monthly event will take place in Downtown Celina

costume contest. • Nov. 28, 8 a.m. • $25-$40

• 127 N. Ohio St., Celina • www.runcelina.com

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