Douglas Athas, Mayor-Elect

The north courtyard of the downtown Fifth Street Crossing features a pool and health club for residents.

 
Council and staff members were invited last week to preview some of the apartments at the Fifth Street Crossing complex that is being built near the Downtown DART station and across from the Performing Arts Center. Among those present was Mayor Bob Day, who was very instrumental bringing the development to Downtown while he served as mayor. One of my favorite quotes of Mayor Day is: "The only thing slower than government is two governments." The city and county had to swap parcels and build a new county facility before construction could start on the new building.
 
The apartments were well decorated and inviting. Closets and storage space were surprisingly ample. Apartments have easy access to reserved parking. The inner units will overlook one of two courtyards. All residents will have access to the health club, which was well stocked with machines and weights. Just outside the health club is the large pool shown above.
 
We were able to park in the new multilevel parking structure. Numerous apartments and business spaces have been leased. New tenants are expected to be moving in soon.
 
Speaking to some of the Downtown merchants recently, they can feel a new excitement. More changes are coming.
 
Downtown residents that want to use DART to commute will have the best of many worlds. Getting on the train is not a problem anytime, but within just a few stations the trains are sometimes full and waiting passengers cannot board. There are various entertainment venues year round. Some services are currently spartan but that is changing.
 
Downtown Garland is being rebuilt for Garland, but anyone can enjoy it.