Allen In Focus: October 2021

OCTOBER 2021

IN THIS ISSUE VISION FOR THE FUTURE

REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE NEW & EXPANDED FACILITIES GET TRAINING FOR THE HOLLY JOLLY 5K & FUN RUN STEP BACK IN TIME LEARN ABOUT ALLEN’S HISTORY DISPOSE & RECYCLE RESPONSIBLY

2021 ALLEN RECYCLES DAY

ALLEN CITY COUNCIL

VISION FOR THE FUTURE

REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN ALLEN

Ken Fulk Mayor

Daren Meis

Councilmember | Place No. 1

Carl Clemencich

Councilmember | Place No. 2

Dave Cornette

Councilmember | Place No. 3

Chris Schulmeister

Councilmember | Place No. 4

Dave Shafer

Councilmember | Place No. 5

Baine Brooks

Mayor Pro Tem | Place No. 6

CITY MANAGEMENT Eric Ellwanger

Eric Strong

City Manager

Deputy City Manager

Tim Dentler

Rebecca Vice

Assistant City Manager

Assistant City Manager

YOUR ONLINE SOURCE FOR ALLEN NEWS & EVENTS

Planning is underway to revitalize the heart of our community! A citizen steering committee, appointed by Mayor Ken Fulk, has embarked on a year-long assignment to identify ways to nurture a successful and vibrant Downtown Allen. The final plan will be recommended to City Council in mid to late 2022.

The committee is busy researching and collecting data about Allen’s current downtown and has visited other communities with thriving downtown spaces. They will put together a comprehensive plan for community outreach in Phase 2, which is set to kick off in early January.

FOLLOW THE COMMITTEE’S PROGRESS AND LEARN OF FUTURE INPUT OPPORTUNITIES AT

CityofAllen.org/DowntownPlanning

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

NEW & EXPANDED FACILITIES

Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center Groundbreaking

Two long-anticipated City projects are closer to welcoming residents through their doors.

The Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center broke ground on July 17. Visitors will enjoy two gymnasiums, an indoor walk/jog track, indoor play spaces for children, a child watch area and an outdoor fitness deck when the facility opens in 2023.

Meanwhile, architects are working on conceptual designs for Allen Public Library’s upcoming expansion. More than 1,300 patrons completed a 30-question survey to help identify community desires and preferences. Construction of the library expansion is expected to begin in 2022, with projected completion in late 2023 or early 2024.

Funding for both projects was approved overwhelmingly by Allen voters during a 2016 bond election. Follow the progress at LifeinAllen.org/STRC and AllenLibrary.org/Expansion.

GET TRAINING FOR THE

HOLLY JOLLY 5K & FUN RUN Allen’s favorite holiday-themed race is back for 2021! Held Saturday, December 4 in downtown Allen, the Holly Jolly 5K and Fun Run is a beloved tradition for families, running novices and serious athletes alike.

Choose between the 1-mile, non-competitive fun run and timed 5K race. The top three 5K finishers in each age category receive a Holly Jolly medal.

Registration is just $25 for the 5K race ($30 for race-day registration) and $15 for the fun run ($20 on race day). Register by Sunday, November 14 to receive a guaranteed race shirt.

NEW FOR 2021: Stick around for the annual Holly Jolly Celebration and annual tree lighting, now held immediately following the race!

GET MORE INFO & REGISTER: LifeinAllen.org/HollyJollyRace

STEP BACK IN TIME

LEARN ABOUT ALLEN’S HISTORY Connect with the past by exploring interactive landmarks and exhibits maintained by the Allen Heritage Guild and City of Allen Parks & Recreation.

Plan your next visit or learn more at AllenHeritage.org.

ALLEN HERITAGE VILLAGE

352 St Mary Drive • Allen, Texas 75002 Experience life through the eyes of Allen’s earliest residents when you visit the Allen Heritage Village, home to several of the city’s oldest remaining homes, outbuildings and churches.

Lovingly relocated and restored, these structures offer a unique look at history through interpretive exhibits.

VISIT THE ALLEN HERITAGE VILLAGE • Open houses on October 17 and November 21 from 2-4 p.m.

• Attend the October 17 open house to experience “Whispers from the Past” historical stories, music, children’s activities and a scavenger hunt.

FREE event; donations accepted.

ALLEN DEPOT & HERITAGE MUSEUM 100 E Main Street • Allen, Texas 75002

Enjoy transportation-themed exhibits at the Allen Heritage Museum, located inside Allen’s replica train depot.

A locomotive and caboose, both relocated to the depot in 2020, will delight railroad enthusiasts of all ages!

VISIT THE ALLEN DEPOT & HERITAGE MUSEUM: • Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month.

• Regular meetings held at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month.

FIND US IN YOUR FAVORITE PLACES!

305 Century Parkway Allen, TX 75013 CityofAllen.org • 214.509.4100

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

LinkedIn

Nextdoor

TV: Spectrum, Frontier, Grande Cable, AT&T U-Verse Live Streaming and Video on Demand: AllenTV.org

Allen in Focus is publication of the City of Allen Public and Media Relations Office. These updates are provided to residents periodically in City utility bills and LIFE in Allen Activity Guides.

AL LEN RECYCLES DAY SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6 • 8 AM-12 PM Dispose responsibly with the help of Allen Recycles Day!

This convenient event allows Allen solid waste utility customers one-stop disposal of accepted electronics, shredding, medication and cardboard.

DIRECTIONS TO THE EVENT » Begin on Bethany Drive, then turn north on Century Parkway. No event entry from McDermott Drive! » Turn right on Butler Drive. Follow signs and directions from event staff to enter the drop-off zone. » Stay in your vehicle. Staff will unload all items except medications. Keep medications in your front seat and dispose in the drive-thru drop-off; do not let anyone handle your medications.

MUST BRING! Current City of Allen utility bill Drivers license with address that matches the one on your bill

ACCEPTED ITEMS ELECTRONICS RECYCLING Participants are responsible for removing all data from devices prior to disposal. No “tube” or rear-projection TVs or CRT computer monitors.

• Flat-screen TVs & • Laptops & tablets computer monitors • Printers & ink cartridges • Computer towers & • Copy/fax machines accessories • Answering machines

PAPER FOR SHREDDING Limit 5 file-sized boxes or kitchen-sized (12-16 gallon) plastic trash bags. Remove all binders and clips before disposal.

CARDBOARD BOXES Clean, empty, flattened cardboard boxes only.

DROP-OFF ZONE

MEDICATION DISPOSAL Dispose anonymously in the drive-thru drop-off.

• Prescription & non-prescription drugs • Over-the-counter medications • Sharps

NOT ACCEPTED

ENTER HERE

CityofAllen.org/ARD

BULK TRASH, METALS, BATTERIES, TIRES, CHEMICALS, LOOSE BRUSH, HOME IMPROVEMENT WASTE Visit CityofAllen.org/Trash for disposal options.