UP Mayor, City Manager Give Updates at State of the City Address

City leaders spoke about University Park’s achievements and ongoing capital projects, including stormwater upgrades that they said will require the issuance of city bonds, during the annual State of the City Address on Feb. 13.

Residents gave their city top marks in a 2024 community survey, with 98% of residents expressing satisfaction with University Park as a place to live, and 92% feeling safe in the community, mayor Tommy Stewart said during a Q&A with city manager Robbie Corder.

“It’s clear that our shared commitment to excellence is making a difference,” Stewart said. “And all y’all are part of that.”

The city plans to continue investing in its infrastructure, enhancing public safety, and providing exceptional services with the goal of maintaining University Park as a premier place to live and raise a family, he said.

University Park is working to address stormwater capacity in flood prone areas, improvements that are so expensive they will require city bonds, Stewart said. 

“The cost and scale are enormous,” he said. “The most recent estimate to addressing floodwater in the heart of the city along Turtle Creek north of Lovers Lane is over $75 million. In perspective, our city’s budget is nearly $70 million.”

The city is replacing 60-inch concrete pipes, which were installed in the 1930s, with two 7-foot-wide by 8-foot-deep concrete boxes, explained city manager Robbie Corder. 

“The stormwater problem in University Park is a major financial issue for the city,” he said.

Other updates during the State of the City Address included:

• University Park is ahead of schedule on its Snider Plaza improvements project, which addresses aging infrastructure and was recently expanded to include the corner of Hillcrest Avenue and Daniel Avenue.
• The city plans to begin improvements to the Miracle Mile, the stretch of Lovers Lane between the Dallas North Tollway and Douglas Avenue, this spring. University Park is partnering with Dallas County on the project, with the county paying for half.
• University Park plans enhancements to Centennial Park, the Caruth Park playground, and Curtis Park, and is installing a new playground at Burleson Park.
• The city has asked for resident input on how to improve the library’s spaces and services, and almost 600 people voted on their favorite ideas. 
• UP acquired a police training facility on Fondren Drive in 2023. It will include a six-lane firing range, and the city plans to invite Highland Park ISD, the town of Highland Park, and SMU to use the facility.
• Nearly half of all households in University Park are using the city’s direct alarm monitoring system, and the service grows its subscriber base each year.
• The city will continue to collaborate with SMU, HPISD and the town of Highland Park.