The City of North Richland Hills, Texas, approved

The City of North Richland Hills, Texas, approved a 330 acre new town center, to be developed by Arcadia Realty Corp. of Dallas and designed by Duany Plater-Zyberk and Company. Projected to have a $628 million value in 10 years, the project is scheduled to be under construction by early spring. The city took a “pro-active” role in approving the project, says Jerry Syla of Richard Ferrara Architect, the firm that was hired to mediate between the developer and public officials. This resulted in a more cooperative working arrangement — with the city seeking practical solutions to concerns and the developer taking a longer term view. The project was approved unanimously. “This is an example of what can happen when a community and a developer work as a team instead of as antagonists.”