Gracie WarhurstThe American Planning Association’s Texas chapter has recognized South Main Street and Dallas Road in the town of Grapevine as a Great Place in Texas for 2023.
The award is a part of the American Planning Association’s (APA) spin off the Great Places in America program, which recognizes neighborhoods, streets and public spaces that make for stronger communities.
As the oldest settlement in Tarrant County, Grapevine has thrived because of its close connectivity to nearby highways and railroad tracks. South Main Street and Dallas Road have provided critical social and business hubs for the community for years.
The streets foster a lively and active community, enhancing the lives of Grapevine residents through quality urban planning and design, historic preservation, placemaking and enhancing economic vitality. All these factors infuse Grapevine’s cultural identity without losing its small-town feel.
“This recognition validates the city’s commitment to prioritize urban planning and design, historic preservation, placemaking, and fostering economic vitality while maintaining a small-town feel,” Eric Marohnic, director of planning services, said in a statement. “We are extremely proud to receive this honor and remain committed to help shape the future of our city with the same level of dedication and excellence.”
The list of street recipients for Great Places in Texas includes:
- Oak Street, Roanoke
- West Magnolia Avenue, Fort Worth
- Fredericksburg’s Main Street
- South El Paso Street
- The Strand, Galveston
- Boerne’s Hill Country Mile
This Great Places award honors community support for local planning efforts. The city’s Planning Division oversees long-term projects, zoning and development requests, all in conjunction with stakeholders and regulations.
Grapevine is not the only city to receive a Great Place in Texas accolade this year. The Texarkana Federal Courthouse and Post Office received a similar designation for its historic significance and appeal. The 91-year-old courthouse was recently revitalized and rehabilitated to better serve the community, focusing on pedestrian and vehicle safety, preserving history and enhancing the courthouse area.
