Free Monthly Tours Begin at Historic Copeland Home

Upcoming tours will be:

• Noon – 4 p.m. Saturday, April 5
• Noon – 4 p.m. Saturday, May 3
• Noon – 4 p.m. Saturday, June 7

Located within the original town site of Grand Prairie, the Copeland Home was built in 1902 by B.P. Hale and his wife, Ruth.  The home was purchased by the Copeland family in 1908.

The white clapboard home, styled for the farm-type, small town resident, was designed with a high pitched roof, narrow windows and a back door entrance.  The original five rooms had 12-foot ceilings, a living room, dining room and three bedrooms.  The kitchen and bathroom were originally separate structures from the home.  In 1918, the Copelands remodeled, bringing the kitchen inside, adding a bathroom and enclosing the back porch.  The beautiful oak hardwood floors, interior woodwork, light fixtures, front door, windows and bead-board ceilings painted pink -- Mrs. Copeland’s favorite color -- are original.  The original fireplace was removed by the Copeland family to make room for two closets.

The entrance hallway is unique to the time period and includes a classic ornamental antique hall divider display made of cherry wood.

Originally, Dr. Copeland had a garden area and a four-acre orchard with a well and two barns, one for his horse and buggy and one for his automobile, the first in Dallas County.  The orchard land was presented to First Presbyterian Church in 1948 as a gift from the Copeland family.

Furniture in the home's study includes a desk dated from the 1800s set just as Dr. Copeland used it, holding his physician's bag and books donated by his family.  The family has also donated many of the home's original pieces of furniture.

Preliminary Designs for New Police Headquarters

The City of Grand Prairie is in the process of designing a new police center. These are images of preliminary designs. The new police center will be funded by a voter-approved 1/4 cent sales tax. Construction is set to begin in 2008 with a grand opening in 2010.

The 130,000-square-foot police center will be nearly triple the size of the existing 49,500-square-foot facility.

To be located at Arkansas and SH 161, the new facility will bring under one roof Fire Administration, Police Administration, Criminal Investigation Division, Field Operations and Support Services, Patrol, Jail, Police/Fire Communications, Records, Property and Evidence, Community Relations and a public meeting room.

Prime Retail Announces Outlet Center in Grand Prairie

Grand Prairie City Council Approves New Development

The intersection of Interstate 20 and State Highway 360 will soon see construction starting on Prime Outlets–Grand Prairie, a new 450,000-square-foot outlet center developed by Prime Retail, one of the largest and most successful developers of outlet centers in the country.

The Grand Prairie City Council approved an agreement and contract with Prime Retail at its Tuesday, Oct. 16, City Council meeting. With construction slated to begin third quarter 2008, Prime Outlets–Grand Prairie is expected to open in time for 2009 holiday shopping season.

"We are thrilled to become the home of Prime Outlets–Grand Prairie," said Mayor Charles England. "This is a great market for the upscale outlet shopper and we know Prime Retail's new location will be a popular shopping center for our region. We currently draw more than six million visitors to Lone Star Park, Nokia Theatre, Joe Pool Lake, Traders Village, the Palace of Wax, Ripley's Believe It Or Not! and soon our new minor league baseball stadium, the addition of Prime Outlets will help attract even more."

Prime Outlets–Grand Prairie will include a compelling mix of merchants and a food court set in an open-air environment designed in an architectural style that personalizes each store front. Restaurant sites will also be available surrounding the new outlet center.

"Prime Retail thanks the City of Grand Prairie for its warm welcome into the community," said Giancarlo Filártiga, senior vice president of development, Prime Retail. "Our mission is to not only create pristine shopping locations for the guests we serve, but robust brand destinations that drive the passion for the best in shopping."

The city estimates the economic impact of the 57 acre center will be more than $3 million a year in sales tax and more than $1 million a year in property tax. In addition, the mall will act as a catalyst for other retail development in the area, will provide about 500 new jobs and increase the city’s already healthy tourism business as Prime Outlets are a destination mall.

Located on the north side of Interstate 20, west of Great Southwest Parkway and east of State Highway 360, Prime Outlets–Grand Prairie will be built between the existing Garden Ridge and Cardinal Healthcare. In addition to access from I-20, SH 360 and an expanded and improved Great Southwest Parkway, Sara Jane Parkway will be extended from Great Southwest Parkway to State Highway 360, providing additional access to the property. 

About Prime Retail

Headquartered in Baltimore, Md., Prime Retail is the parent company of Prime Outlets and one of the largest and most successful owners of retail centers in the United States. Its portfolio spans approximately 15 million square feet throughout major markets of the United States and Puerto Rico. Adding nearly two million more square feet to its portfolio over the next several years and introducing category-defining shopping concepts, Prime Retail is positioned to become the leading retail outlet company in the industry. For more information, please visit www.primeretail.com.

Municipal Energy Usage for Calendar Year 2007

Compliance with HB 3693 Requirements - Municipal Energy Usage for Calendar Year 2007

The City of Grand Prairie purchases gas from Atmos Energy Corporation.  In Calendar Year 2007, the City spent $81,553 on gas.

The City purchases electricity from Direct Energy.  In Calendar Year 2007, the City spent $4,145,337 on electricity.

The City purchases water from the City of Dallas and the City of Fort Worth.  In Calendar Year 2007, the City purchased 149,916 gallons of water for a total cost of $440,585.

Ambulance Subscription Program Provides Affordable Emergency Care

To help residents fully prepare for medical emergencies, the City of Grand Prairie provides an optional ambulance subscription program made available to all residents of Grand Prairie apart from Medicaid recipients. Participants, by submitting an annual $60 fee, will have no out-of-pocket expenses for City of Grand Prairie's EMS emergency ground ambulance use; they will receive unlimited emergency (only) transports and coverage for all household members.

The membership covers the portion of expenses not reimbursed by the member’s medical coverage for services rendered by Grand Prairie Emergency Medical Services. The annual fee covers the applicant, applicant’s spouse, unmarried dependent children under 25 years of age living at home and any other dependent of the applicant or spouse who lives at the applicant's address.

Click here for an application. For more information, contact the Grand Prairie Fire Department Emergency Medical Services at 972-237-8300.

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