Month: November 2023

City of Van Alstyne, Texas > 2023 > November

Get Your Packages Delivered to Van Alstyne Police Department

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Are you having packages delivered to your home this holiday season? Do you have a Van Alstyne address?

If so starting Friday, November 24, 2023, you may have your packages delivered to the Van Alstyne Police Department at 242 N. Preston Ave & dispatch will sign for them 24/7. Dispatch will sign for your deliveries from November 24th until January 1st, and you may pick them up any time of day or night. You must have a current Driver’s License or state issued ID card with you when you pick up your packages. Please make sure the package is addressed to the person who will be picking it up.

We hope this will prevent package thefts in our community. If you have questions, please call us at 903-482-5251.

 

City of Van Alstyne, Texas > 2023 > November

New Public Safety Facility for Van Alstyne

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In an era of growth and development, Van Alstyne is taking a significant step to bolster public safety by planning a new, state-of-the-art facility for its police and fire departments. This $20 million project is not just an investment in infrastructure but a commitment to the safety and well-being of our community. Located at the corner of Waco St. and Blassingame Ave., the new site remains central to Van Alstyne and provides easy access to Hwy 5 and Hwy 75.

The process to realize this facility has been meticulous and collaborative. Input from 14 distinguished architects and studies conducted by two external companies have played a crucial role in shaping the size and design of the facility. A project manager will also be brought on board for this project. This comprehensive approach ensures that the facility will meet the highest standards of functionality and efficiency.

The chosen designer, Brandstetter Carroll, Inc., is working closely with Police Chief Barnes, Fire Chief Dockery, and the City Manager. Their joint efforts focus on creating a design that not only addresses current requirements but also anticipates the needs of our community for years to come.

This new facility is more than a building; it’s a symbol of our city’s dedication to ensuring a safe, secure, and thriving community for all residents of Van Alstyne. Stay tuned as we continue on this exciting journey towards a safer future.

 

 

Crystal DeBacker
Media Coordinator
City of Van Alstyne

cdebacker@cityofvanalstyne.us
903-357-1088

City of Van Alstyne, Texas > 2023 > November

Eula Umphress and Robert Hynds Park

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UPDATE (01/10/2024):
Exciting progress on the new park. Pond is excavated and local clay soil has been installed for pond lining purposes. Contractor has completed major materials submittals and long lead time items are on order for delivery. Water and sewer improvements are being completed. Contractor is working on schedule.

Van Alstyne Parks & Recreation is adding an incredible new park to our community!  Located just north of the Georgetown Village subdivision, between Kelly Ln. & S. Dallas Ave., this park will be 24 acres and includes a fishing pond, pavilion, playground, restrooms, and plenty of green space, and of course walking trails. In the city’s masterplan, the walking trails will connect all of Van Alstyne’s parks.

A nice feature of this new development in our community is it is fully paid for and will not impact taxes at all!

Van Alstyne City Council awarded the construction contract in September the groundbreaking took place on September 25th. The expected completion date is Spring of 2024!

 

See news on the park groundbreaking here:
https://www.kten.com/story/49649021/new-park-coming-to-van-alstyne
https://www.kten.com/story/49724274/van-alstyne-breaks-ground-for-new-city-park

 

Crystal DeBacker
Media Coordinator
City of Van Alstyne

cdebacker@cityofvanalstyne.us
903-357-1088

City of Van Alstyne, Texas > 2023 > November

Old Fashioned Christmas, December 2nd

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Mark your calendars for December 2nd in Van Alstyne! With it being our 150th Anniversary, the theme for this year’s holiday events is “Old Fashioned Christmas” and we are kicking off the holiday season in a BIG way! The Van Alstyne Christmas Parade through downtown will kick off the festivities at 2pm as well as a Christmas Market on Marshall.

Register to participate in the parade here. There will be three categories for awards this year.
1.) Best of the Best
2.) Best use of the theme (“Old Fashioned Christmas”)
3.) Best Holiday Spirit

You can also find a Christmas Market and DJ on Marshall Street, face painting, bounce house and slide, photos with all of your favorite Christmas characters and then join us for the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6pm at the Central Social District Park.

 

There will also be live performances in the Central Social District Park starting at 5:30 by the VAHS Choir, VAHS Band, Certain Music, Rogers Martial Arts and Fierce Motions in Dance. And if you think we’ve forgot about the big guy, you’re mistaken! Santa & Mrs. Claus will be in attendance for free photos as well from 2-5:30.

In addition to our wonderful December 2nd activities, we hope our entire community will participate and help decorate our incredible town for this year’s holiday season.  Van Alstyne Parks and Recreation department is hosting a Decorating Contest and we invite all Van Alstyne homes & businesses to participate by submitting a photo of their home/business decorated for the ‘Old Fashioned Christmas’ theme. Submit a photo by emailing it with your address to khessel@cityofvanalstyne.us by December 14th.  Voting will take place on the Van Alstyne Parks & Recreation Facebook page and the photo with the most ‘likes’ wins! Winner will get a $50 Visa gift card.

 

Crystal DeBacker
Media Coordinator
City of Van Alstyne

cdebacker@cityofvanalstyne.us
903-357-1088

City of Van Alstyne, Texas > 2023 > November

Van Alstyne Now Has A Media Coordinator

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The City of Van Alstyne has hired me, Crystal DeBacker, as their Media Coordinator. My job is to make sure the residents of Van Alstyne, future residents, and surrounding community members are informed on what Van Alstyne has to offer and what is to come.  You’ll get weekly updates here and on YouTube, as well as urgent announcements as needed.

If there is a topic you would like additional information on, you can find announcements on our website here where you can type your topic in the search bar. If you do not see the topic you are interested in, please submit your request with this form.  The request goes straight to me and I will pull from these requests as I create content. If I have already shared about that topic, I will send you the information for your reference and I’m happy to discuss further.
The City of Van Alstyne’s goal is to proactively communicate as the true authority on matters community members are interested in.

I look forward to adding value to my community and assisting in the sharing of information in a variety of mediums to reach every one of our wonderful community members!

Crystal DeBacker
Media Coordinator
City of Van Alstyne

cdebacker@cityofvanalstyne.us
903-357-1088

City of Van Alstyne, Texas > 2023 > November

Van Alstyne Historical Museum Has A New Location

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Wednesday, November 1st, 2023 was the incredibly well attended ribbon cutting for the new location of the Van Alstyne Historical Museum at 130 N Waco St. in Van Alstyne.

This home was built around 1890 on the east side of town and was moved to its current location a few years later. It is a wonderfully appropriate setting to host the Van Alstyne Historical Museum and is a “museum within a museum” as Mayor Jim Atchison explained.

The museum is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 1pm – 3pm. Private, group tours can be arranged with museum Director, Teddie Ann Salmon, 903-814-1735. Parking is plentiful at the new location and it is conveniently located between the Van Alstyne Public Library and the Van Alstyne US Post Office.

Check out the KXII story on the new location here.