Press Releases
THE COLONY ANNOUNCES
DETAILS FOR NEW ENTERTAINMEMT AND RETAIL DESTINATION
New project to create new jobs, add tourism and benefit all of North Texas
November 2011
The Colony today proposed a 433-acre public/private partnership — along the south side of State Highway 121 between W. Spring Creek Parkway and Plano Parkway, including a tract of land at the southwest corner of State Highway 121 and Plano Parkway — that will become a significant destination for the region. It will bring new jobs, tourism and regional and national recognition to our community and the entire North Texas region. The private investment consists of joint ventures still under negotiations and is not yet final.
Involved in the development is Nebraska Furniture Mart, a Berkshire Hathaway company and the largest single-volume shopping destination for furniture, flooring, appliances and electronics in the United States. Nebraska Furniture Mart will be working with additional development partners and retailers, but those details are still being finalized.
The new development will be funded using private equity and revenues generated by the project itself with no financial risk to the city. The final numbers are not confirmed, but the projected total value is expected to fall between $1.3 and $1.8 billion. Property, sales and other tax rates will not increase as a result of this project.
In addition, local businesses will have an opportunity to attract new customers and support growth as we continue to add new jobs and visitors and see increased tax revenues reinvested from the emergence of a national tourism destination. The project will drive additional traffic and dollars to the area and ultimately help everyone within the region share the overall benefits.
The timeline for the project has not been confirmed and further details will be released as other decisions are made.
CNNMoney lists The Colony among Top 100 places to live in the United States.
August 2011
See the article on CNN's website (opens a new browser window).
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Brings Texas Call Center to The Colony
April 2011
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is locating its Texas Call Center to The Colony, The Colony Economic Development Corporation announced today.
The national retailer has signed a five-year lease for space in The Cascades at The Colony, a 100-acre master-planned, multi-use development located along State Highway 121.
"We are very pleased to welcome Williams-Sonoma, Inc. to The Colony," said Tom Tvardzik, president of the Board of The Economic Development Corporation. "We have been working with the Community Development Corporation and City Council on this project, and it is very exciting to see that as a result of our collective efforts, a retailer of this stature has made a long-term commitment to our community."
Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is a premier specialty retailer of home furnishings and gourmet cookware in the United States and Canada and markets high-quality brands through retail stores, catalogs and the Internet.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s location to The Cascades lengthens the list of the many businesses that have recently moved to the Jackson-Shaw development.
For more information, contact The Colony Economic Development Corporation at 972-624-3127 or edc@thecolonytx.org.
The Colony Ranked among Wealthiest Zip Codes in Dallas Area
April 2011
The Colony's menu of attributes to entice restaurants and retailers just got longer as the lakeside community was ranked among the wealthiest zip codes in the Dallas area.
According to a recent ranking by The Dallas Business Journal, The Colony is included among the Top 25 wealthiest areas in Greater Dallas with a projected median household income of $92,104 in 2010.
"Statistics count when it comes to attracting new businesses to The Colony," said Keri Samford, director of The Colony Economic Development Corporation. "Retailers and restaurants are looking for opportunity, and our community's high income and spending power are very compelling."
The Colony also boasts a high quality of life, which is inviting to both residents and businesses. In D Magazine's 2010 Best Suburbs study, The Colony was ranked #15 out of 62 North Texas towns. The ranking is based on four factors: safety, education, housing values and ambiance.
"The Colony's projected growth and fast access to all points of the Metroplex including Downtown Dallas and D/FW International Airport are additional factors that we emphasize in our marketing efforts," said Ms. Samford. "As the economy continues to rebound, we are well positioned to capture new shopping, dining and business choices that will further enhance the quality of life residents enjoy and expand our tax base."
While many North Texas Cities have faced drastic budget reductions and service cuts, The City of The Colony reduced the ad valorem tax for the fifth consecutive year in 2010. The City's financial stability also enables the Economic Development Corporation to offer generous incentives that stand out as cities throughout North Texas compete for business relocations.
The spending power of The Colony's residents is one of the factors that attracted The Texas Roadhouse, which has enjoyed a strong pace of business since opening in 2007.
The Colony Economic Development Corp. & The City of The Colony
Help Businesses Prepare for Main Street/FM 423 Construction
March 2011
The Main Street/FM 423 Street Widening project is expected to begin between September 2011 and February 2012, but The Colony Economic Development Corporation and The City of The Colony are acting now to help local businesses prepare for this important infrastructure improvement.
Read the full press release (PDF)
The Colony Economic Development Corp. & The City of The Colony
Host Main Street/FM 423 Pre-Construction Business Dinner
February 2011
A Main Street/FM 423 Pre-Construction Business Dinner was hosted February 23 to provide local business owners with information about the street widening project.
Presented by The Colony Economic Development Corporation in conjunction with The City of The Colony, the program featured representatives from TxDOT and the City who shared project details, tips on how to prepare for the construction phase, and answered questions from the many business owners in attendance.
Developer Partners for Nature Trail Project
November 2010
Matthews Southwest, the developer of The Tribute Resort Community on the shores of Lake Lewisville, is teaming with The Colony's award-winning Parks and Recreation Department, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the US Army Corps of Engineers to develop The Wynnewood Peninsula Nature Trails, which will be open to the public for walking, hiking and biking.
The 3--mile trail system will provide access to the southern tip of the Wynnewood Peninsula and is a key component of The Colony's "Trail Master Plan," a series of nature and hike/bike trails throughout the city and The Tribute Resort Community.
Read the PDF Press Release
Schneider Optical Machines Unveils New U.S. Headquarters
October, 2010
Schneider Optical Machines, Inc., the U.S. distributor of all Schneider lens processing technology, has unveiled a new 12,500 sq. ft. headquarters and training facility in the suburban town of The Colony, just west of Dallas.
In celebrating the grand opening of the new facility, Gunter Schneider, President and CEO of parent company, Schneider GmbH & Co. KG, noted that rapid growth of free-form lens processing, particularly in the U.S., as reason for the needed expansion.
"We have seen excellent growth and usage of free-form processing technology in recent years," he said, "particularly among the independent laboratories. We're very encouraged by these advances and see good opportunities for free-form in the future."
Noted Kurt Atchison, General Manager of Schneider Optical Machines, "One of the other reasons this move was necessary is to support our technical service and training development. We're obviously very committed to supporting our customers and the technology we install." The company now employs 12 technicians on staff.
The facility is equipped with extensive training and education space for "Schneider University" educational events. As well, the new headquarters will feature a complete Schneider lab, including a finishing operation featuring Schneider's newly introduced edger.
The Colony Ranks #15 on List of Best Suburbs
July 2010
Statistics count when it comes to attracting new businesses to The Colony, and officials have a new number to help illustrate why “The City by the Lake” is great place to do business. In an annual ranking by D Magazine of the best suburbs, The Colony was ranked #15 out of 62 North Texas towns. The ranking is based on four factors: safety, education, housing values and ambiance.
Read More.
Advantages of Doing Business in The Colony Promoted at International Conference
June 2010
With fast transportation routes, prime space, skilled labor and a growing population, The Colony has everything a business needs to succeed in today’s competitive economy. That’s the message the City’s economic development leadership took to thousands of the world’s leading developers, retailers, brokers and financial institutions attending the Global Retail Real Estate Convention last month in Las Vegas.
The Colony Economic Development Corporation Receives State Award
May 2010
The Colony Economic Development Corporation received the 2009 Economic Excellence Award from the Texas Economic Development Council. The Colony is one of only 13 communities in the D/FW Metroplex and 35 statewide to earn this honor.
"Old American Golf Club" recognized
as a best in Links Magazine
March 2010
The Old American Golf Club - designed by Tripp Davis and PGA TOUR/Ryder Cup star Justin Leonard - has been named to LINKS Magazine's "Best of Golf 2010", one of the game's leading lists of best new domestic and international golf courses.
Hailed as one of "the most significant courses to open in 2010," The Old American joins domestic heavy weights such as Old Macdonald (the fourth course at storied Bandon Dunes) and Prairie Club in Valentine, Nebraska, as well as international power hitters like Pete and Perry Dye's Black Pearl on Roatan, and Davis Love III's Diamante Cabo San Lucas.
More
‘Old American Golf Club’
Makes North Texas Golf Expo Debut
January 2010
Located at The Tribute Resort Community north of Dallas, The Old American is slated for soft opening this spring. Preview foursomes will be hosted between February 1 to May 30, offering local golfers a sneak peak at a golf course that has already drawn acclaim from Golfweek, LINKS Magazine, USA Today, PGATOUR.com, the Dallas Morning News and Avid Golfer Magazine.
Cascades Hotel Opening Release
June 2009
Jackson-Shaw, a national, diversified commercial real estate development and investment company, and Marriott International, Inc., (NYSE: MAR; http://www.marriott.com) today announced the official opening of the Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites and The Residence Inn by Marriott in The Colony, Texas. The hotels, including the 6,400-square-foot Cascades Events Center, are located within The Cascades at The Colony, a 100-acre master-planned community located along the SH121 corridor.
The Tribute New Golf Course
April 2009
At The Tribute Golf Club, on the rolling dunes near Lake Lewisville, time is relative. Moving forward requires stepping backward.
The original layout’s new name is the Old Course, which pays homage to famous Scottish designs. The New Course, which is to open in the fall, is old-fashioned, too, harkening to the “Golden Age” of American architecture.
S.H. 121 Now Open Through The Colony
August 2008
North Texas motorists will receive some congestion relief on Sunday, Aug. 31, when the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) completes nine additional miles of State Highway (SH) 121 from Old Denton Road in Denton County to Hillcrest Road in Collin County. At that time, SH 121 will become part of the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) System.
Stacy Furniture Selects The Colony for Home Furnishings Center
April 28, 2008
Bob Lazenby, Principal and Owner of Legacy Realty Group, represented Rick Stacy in the property search and negotiations that resulted in the purchase of 8.6 acres of land on Memorial Drive, just east of Main Street. This location will be the future home of the third Stacy Home Furnishings Center. Stacy Furniture & Accessories and Stacy’s Kid Stuff will be two of the stores located in the Center.
Austin Ranch Infrastructure Agreement
April 8, 2008
The City of The Colony and Billingsley Corporation have reached an agreement concerning wastewater improvements which will facilitate the development of more than 1,000 acres in Austin Ranch. Total construction costs are expected to be more than $3 million with Billingsley Corporation contributing approximately $2 million.
Austin Ranch to Build Apartments, Retail
April 7, 2008
The next stage of Austin will soon materialize in The Colony, with new residences, retailers, restaurants, and a trail system. The $57M improvements are the fifth phase for the 1900-acre development.
Plans set for 2 Hotels in The Colony
March 29, 2008
The credit crunch has ruined some building plans here and nationwide, but developer Jackson-Shaw Co. has recently secured financing for two hotels in The Colony and a speculative industrial project in Irving.
Restaurant's Training Week Creates Hot Meals for Local Police and Firefighters
December 10, 2007
When Texas Roadhouse comes to a new town, the restaurant reaches out to local organizations from the get-go. This week, as the restaurant trains new cooks, meat cutters and other kitchen team members, local police and firefighters are the first to sample the fruits of their labor. In addition to donating meals, Friday and Saturday night the restaurant will host invitation-only pre-opening events and raise money for Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer.
Hawaiian Falls/The Colony Announces $600,000 Expanision
May 17, 2007
Hawaiian Falls/The Colony hosted a group of business and community leaders to celebrate a $600,000 expansion that will include the new Honolulu Lulu, a 44-foot slide complex featuring three thrilling flumes, the Tiki Island sprayground, and the Aloha Bowl concert stage.
Hawaiian Falls To Expand
February 07, 2007
The Colony city council approved zoning for an expansion to Hawaiian Falls water park despite several neighbors voicing opposition to the plan. The council, meeting alongside the planning and zoning board. voted 6-0 for expansion with Council Member Perry Schrag absent. The council added on seven conditions to their approval, and also arranged so that the park could stay open until 9 p.m., later than its present 8:30 p.m. close, to accommodate concerts at the park.
Pair of Hotels Proposed for SH 121 Development
February 07, 2007
Two new hotels are in the works for a new development along State Highway 121, according to the city's chief planning official. The city has received applications for erecting a Fairfield Inn and a Residence Inn in the Cascades at The Colony development, located on the north side of State Highway 121 at Morning Star Drive, said Donna Bateman, The Colony director of development services.
Highway 121 Underpass Opening Next Week
February 5, 2007
Texas Department of Transportation officials Monday announced the first major intersection of the State Highway 121 project in The Colony will be completed this month. Officials expect the 121 underpass at Main Street and Josey Lane will completely open to traffic next week.