Months of analysis, research, and meetings came to a conclusion Feb. 11 with the unanimous approval from the Willow Park City Council to annex 317 acres of Dean Ranch at the southwest corner of Interstate 20 and Highway 1187. The land along the main road into Aledo will be a multi-function commercial and residential development.
After the vote, city manager Bryan Grimes leaned into his microphone and gave a hardy, “Welcome to Willow Park, Mr Beall.” To which developer Robert Beall grinned and gave a happy “thumbs-up” from his seat in the audience.
Plans for the development include 35.3 acres of single family residential space, 91.7 acres of multi-family residential, 135.2 acres of commercial and 55.5 acres of light industrial. Eateries, both take-out and sit-down dining, are among the plans, as is a public park and walking/biking trails.
The City of Fort Worth relinquished the property from its extraterritorial jurisdiction because they could not provide utilities to the area, whereas Willow Park could. Businesses are anticipated to open 12-18 months after the utilities are finished, and the city reported the estimated value of the development at full buildout to be $500 million. The development is expected to roughly double the city’s current sales tax collection.
City marketing director Rose Hoffman reported an extensive survey seeking input from the public about city parks has been completed. Her department will begin assimilating the information for future presentation to the council. Hoffman said highlights of public wants and concerns include playground equipment, walking path improvements, lighting, and restrooms.
Hoffman detailed how every means possible was taken to give residents a voice in the matter, including multiple social media outlets, the city’s website, an announcement in The Community News, and flyers distributed to residents and posted in public.
“Did we do everything we could to get a scientific analysis and response from the public? Yes, we did,” Hoffman concluded.
Mayor pro-tem Lea Young said the next steps to park improvements and expansions will include designing conceptual plans, obtaining quotes and estimates, and bringing the results to the board for financial approval.
The board approved the forming of a committee to find and hire a new police chief. Daniel Franklin resigned from the post in January and Quincy Hamilton, who has been with the department since 2021, is serving as interim police chief.
Council members Eric Contreras and Chawn Gilliland, along with Mayor Doyle Moss, were chosen to be on the search committee. Council member Nate Crummel volunteered as an alternate. Gilliland has an extensive background in Parker County law enforcement, including 10 years chief criminal investigator for the Parker County District Attorney’s office and 12 years Aledo ISD police chief.
Following an executive session, the council voted to hire former Aledo City Secretary Deana Mc Mullen as the new Willow Park city secretary.
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