We couldn't have had a better opportunity for "re-Branding" Rowlett. I don't mean because of the tornado, but certainly the tornado could become the catalyst. It could be the ingredient that makes everything else work. If one adds the new found character awaken by the tornado, and as demonstrated by Rowlett citizens, civic leaders, and business leaders, to other additional events, a beautiful opportunity presents itself.
Right at Rowlett's new front door on Interstate 30 lies what is to become a $1 Billion real estate development. It will become all very water oriented. Rowlett has 23 miles of shoreline on Lake Ray Hubbard. Can you think of anything that will drive up real estate values better than water?
One of the things that Rowlett has never done very well is take advantage of Lake Ray Hubbard. Lakefront development has been abysmal. That is soon to change.
Development of the new projects of Bayview should make their first appearances soon. This will definitely introduce water development to Rowlett. Then....Rowlett needs to start developing park areas along the waterfronts we have always had.
This new interest in development, and particularly water front development, gives rise to all things water oriented........like sailboat Regattas. If properly organized and promoted, the Regatta would put Rowlett in neon lights. All revenue could be donated to the rebuilding of Rowlett.......another nobel cause. Then, as Rowlett's sun is rising, other demand would be created in other Rowlett neighborhoods.........because its a nice town. That's all we need. The image would have changed. Real estate values should begin to soar. People, that is money in your pocket.
A few years ago, during the realm of another city manager, it was often said Rowlett was overbuilt with houses with larger lots, fences, and monkey bars in the back yard. That was rubbish. That particular city manager meant Rowlett was overbuilt with houses she didn't like. She wanted "close in" houses, like in the big city. She was a very bad real estate analyst. In fact, she was the worst real estate analyst I have ever met in 50 years of being in the real estate development business........I was involved in finance, construction, and marketing. To the best of my knowledge, the previous city manager may have bought a house.
There is new development knocking on our doors. However, it can't be junk. It must be quality development. We do not have to accept second and third rate developers anymore. WE MUST GET PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT. We don't need anymore senseless rhetoric that was copied out of a book. Experience would be helpful. Hell, go hire it if you can't get it for free. Just be sure the source knows what the hell they're talking about. Being smart ain't good enough. I have a great friend who is an excellent lawyer..........but I don't want him taking my appendix out.
The tornado was a bad event. Nobody questions that. But we have to shift thru the debris and find anything that will help build Rowlett back. It may not be a hammer. It may be an opportunity. That's what we have found, if we collectively recognize it.
Regarding Bayview, below is some language I stole from the Dallas Business Journal. (Be sure to click on the photos).
_____________________
Dallas developer Kent Donahue has a lot of decisions to make in the next few months as plans for his proposed $1 billion resort-anchored project takes shape on the banks of Lake Ray Hubbard.
The most earth-changing decision will be centered on Donahue possibly developing a man-made blue lagoon within Lake Ray Hubbard, giving the development a sorely-needed destination (besides the lakeside property).
VIEW SLIDESHOW
16 photos
The Dallas developer is looking at a proposal to add a lagoon to Lake Ray Hubbard.
People, it's time to re-brand Rowlett!!
Right at Rowlett's new front door on Interstate 30 lies what is to become a $1 Billion real estate development. It will become all very water oriented. Rowlett has 23 miles of shoreline on Lake Ray Hubbard. Can you think of anything that will drive up real estate values better than water?
One of the things that Rowlett has never done very well is take advantage of Lake Ray Hubbard. Lakefront development has been abysmal. That is soon to change.
Development of the new projects of Bayview should make their first appearances soon. This will definitely introduce water development to Rowlett. Then....Rowlett needs to start developing park areas along the waterfronts we have always had.
This new interest in development, and particularly water front development, gives rise to all things water oriented........like sailboat Regattas. If properly organized and promoted, the Regatta would put Rowlett in neon lights. All revenue could be donated to the rebuilding of Rowlett.......another nobel cause. Then, as Rowlett's sun is rising, other demand would be created in other Rowlett neighborhoods.........because its a nice town. That's all we need. The image would have changed. Real estate values should begin to soar. People, that is money in your pocket.
A few years ago, during the realm of another city manager, it was often said Rowlett was overbuilt with houses with larger lots, fences, and monkey bars in the back yard. That was rubbish. That particular city manager meant Rowlett was overbuilt with houses she didn't like. She wanted "close in" houses, like in the big city. She was a very bad real estate analyst. In fact, she was the worst real estate analyst I have ever met in 50 years of being in the real estate development business........I was involved in finance, construction, and marketing. To the best of my knowledge, the previous city manager may have bought a house.
There is new development knocking on our doors. However, it can't be junk. It must be quality development. We do not have to accept second and third rate developers anymore. WE MUST GET PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT. We don't need anymore senseless rhetoric that was copied out of a book. Experience would be helpful. Hell, go hire it if you can't get it for free. Just be sure the source knows what the hell they're talking about. Being smart ain't good enough. I have a great friend who is an excellent lawyer..........but I don't want him taking my appendix out.
The tornado was a bad event. Nobody questions that. But we have to shift thru the debris and find anything that will help build Rowlett back. It may not be a hammer. It may be an opportunity. That's what we have found, if we collectively recognize it.
Regarding Bayview, below is some language I stole from the Dallas Business Journal. (Be sure to click on the photos).
_____________________
Dallas developer Kent Donahue has a lot of decisions to make in the next few months as plans for his proposed $1 billion resort-anchored project takes shape on the banks of Lake Ray Hubbard.
The most earth-changing decision will be centered on Donahue possibly developing a man-made blue lagoon within Lake Ray Hubbard, giving the development a sorely-needed destination (besides the lakeside property).
VIEW SLIDESHOW
16 photos
The Dallas developer is looking at a proposal to add a lagoon to Lake Ray Hubbard.
- Donahue plans to visit Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, next week to see one of these lagoons — trademarked through Crystal Lagoons — that bring a water-friendly destination to properties not lucky enough to be located along the coast. The lagoons, or gigantic swimming pools, also offer swimmable water for people who would otherwise not be able to swim in the existing water.
- Texas only has one natural lake, Caddo Lake along the Texas-Lousiana border. The man-made lakes often have dangerous undertows and a murkiness that doesn't invite swimmers. But man-made lagoons would have a filtration system that would cleanse the water, making it safe and swimmable.
- Right now, Donahue is leaning towards bringing in a Crystal Lagoon. It could be a difference maker for the $1 billion resort-anchored development, which will serve as the city entrance for Rowlett.
- The project will sit on a 257-acre tract on Lake Ray Hubbard that was once called Elgin B. Robertson Park and was owned by the City of Dallas Parks Department.
- An affiliate of Dallas-based Donahue Development Corp., Bayside Land Partners LLC, bought the property for $31.8 million with help from Rowlett, which wanted the developer to help transform the suburb into a regional destination.
- “We think if we do our jobs right, it won’t just be a draw from the eastern side of town, but it will be a draw from all over North Texas,” Donahue, president of Donahue Development Corp., told the Dallas Business Journal in an exclusive interview.
- "There are a lot of good characteristics about this land, which include it being 15 miles outside a major metro area,” he said. “If you incorporate the lake component with a proposed resort, this could quickly become a staycation for a lot of people."
People, it's time to re-brand Rowlett!!
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