ROWLETT - The City of Rowlett's been looking toward the future for a long time, and it's now actually coming to fruition.
After paying into the DART system since 1983, the city has just seen final plans for its rail station.
"I think it will be something that is completely unique," said Donna Davis, a Rowlett council member.
The artist's drawing revealed a pretty tricked out design as far as DART stations goes. The city invested an extra $750,000 on a customized design and DART kicked in some money, too.
Among other things, there are plans to include blue paving reminiscent of water, much like the waters of Lake Ray Hubbard.
"We hope people get the feeling of peace and calmness," Davis said.
City leaders envision that when the station is complete, people will come from surrounding communities to catch a ride.
"I think you're going to see a lot of people coming here to catch the light rail to take them into Dallas and other parts of the metroplex," said Mayor John Harper, Rowlett. "And not only will they park here, we're expecting them to shop here. And, if all goes well, we'll entice them to move here."
With its proximity to the lake, a coming connection to the Bush Turnpike and plans for a DART rail station, the leaders of Rowlett say years of patient waiting are about to pay off.
DART officials say construction to complete the Blue Line to Rowlett is on schedule and should be completed by late 2012.
E-mail: dschechter@wfaa.com
