Happy New Year!   And, wow what a year it will be.   Can we say “Epic” Year!   As you know our mission at JoinTheEpic.com is to keep you abreast of the status of your life-changing building and water park.

HKS, Inc., your lead architects are continuing to work on the Master Plan for Central Park. When we have something tangible, Mayor Jensen will make an announcement and we will make sure everyone is aware of the latest.

Following our incredible sessions of Epic Encounters, we are working on the programming side of the facility.   And, this will take a few more months. Here is what you can expect:

• Central Park Revised Master Plan
• Programming and Building Plan
• Design
• Ground-Breaking is still scheduled for this year!   And, what a celebration it will be!

“The Epic”—- changing lives, one person at a time!

Please tell your friends about, JoinTheEpic.com.   We will have some events and fun upcoming in 2015.   But, if you don’t join….you won’t know!   Remember that JoinTheEpic.com members will be be the some of the first to visit “The Epic”!

TOGETHER, we are going to make it Epic!

And, off we go!

One of the major cogs of your EPIC project is the construction company. Last night, your City Council unanimously approved Lee Lewis Construction, Inc. for the job.   Lee Lewis Construction brings many great attributes to the table, including working with Disney and MGM, a wide variety of water projects, experience with HKS, Inc. your architects, have completed about 90% of the construction at Texas Tech University over the past 15 years, and have a team assembled that fit Grand Prairie’s culture.

Simply stated, they have “passion” for the project!   And, it was evident in their submittals and in meetings held with the Architects.

So, let’s re-cap key members of YOUR team:

• HKS, Inc.
  • Prime Architect
  • Andy Henning, Project Manager
• Dewberry Architects
  • Recreation/Library Consultants
• Ramaker, Inc.
  • Aquatic Consultants

Obviously, we have lots more sub-consultants.   Your team is strong, they are fired-up, and they will deliver and exceed your expectations.

JoinTheEpic.com is still accepting your dreams and ideas for The EPIC.   However, send us your thoughts ASAP as we will begin making tough programming decisions very quickly.

As of today, we have not backed up the Grand Opening date, and are expecting a Memorial Day 2017 blast-off!

Questions about The EPIC”?   Just let us know!

Thanks!   And, remember…….. “It’s Gonna Be EPIC!”

City officials traveled to Texas A&M University recently and were overwhelmed with the undergraduate, graduate, and professors within the department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Science.   All were engaged with the Grand Prairie project and provided ideas for the twenty-something age population of our Community. Texas A&M has the most respected parks and recreation professors in all of America!   It was an exciting day, visiting over 100 students and professors…

It’s getting closer every day!   City officials are recommending the Construction Partner for The Epic project after spending exhaustive time with 5 potential finalists.   City officials will be recommending the Contractor to the City Council at the next City Council meeting.   If approved, this will finalize your Epic team!   Let the fun begin!

Water, Water Everywhere!   Members of The Epic Design team traveled to Orlando to the International Association of Amusements Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) to visit all the major water slide and ride designers and developers. It was two days well spent as The Epic water consultant, Ramaker, Inc. set up a variety of meetings with project manager Andy Henning of HKS, Inc., City officials and other members of the project team. It was another necessary step in the making of The Epic!

Epic Encounters are still underway!   Please let your friends know they can send in their Epic Dreams 24-hours a day at JoinTheEpic.com.   Final meetings are being scheduled now as this process comes to an end.

Up next: HKS, Inc. is working on an exciting revised Master Plan for Central Park and The Epic. As promised, The Summit is not impacted and grand care is being given to our multi-family projects and citizens that parallel the park.   Once approved, we will post it for all to see on this Blog.

Latest Grand Opening Projection:   The Epic project remains on schedule with a predicted Memorial Day 2017 opening!

Keep up with all The Epic Excitement right here on JoinTheEpic.com.

We are very excited about all the citizen comments, ideas and dreams that have been contributed through the Epic Encounters as well as JoinTheEpic.com website.   We remain in the “dream and programming stage” through the remainder of this year….and what that means is there is still time for you to put your THUMBPRINT on YOUR legacy project.

Hundreds and hundreds of ideas have been generated for your project!   All are being catalogued and then shared with our Project Manager from HKS, Inc. architects.

Remember, we don’t want ANYONE left out!   Let us hear from you today!   And, please note “The Epic Encounter Roadshow” will be at Street and Treat this Friday!   Come by and say hello!

Together, it is going to be EPIC!

We are excited to announce that the Mayor and City Council unanimously approved the architectural and engineering contract for The Epic to HKS, Inc. of Dallas, Texas.   Architects for the noted AT&T Cowboys Stadium, the new Minnesota Viking Stadium and projects with Warner Brothers, Disney and Universal Studios, HKS brings a mix of attention to detail, creativity, and innovation.   Andy Henning, of HKS will serve as the project manager.   The sub-consultants that HKS brought to the table are some of the best firms in America, including Dewberry Architects, of Dallas and Ramaker, Inc., the water consultants from Wisconsin.

Meetings are still being held around the city for citizens to put their thumbprint on the project. And, Epic Dreams can be delivered 24/7 on JoinTheEpic.com.

With everyone’s help and dreams….it is “Gonna be Epic”!

Public Meetings are here!   Thanks for waiting! We have released our public meeting dates.   Check them out by clicking “Input Meetings” on the top right of JoinTheEpic.com.   In addition, we will keep you updated on any deletions or changes!   And, as always, we can take YOUR DREAMS 24-hours a day on this website!

Thanks for making “The Epic” the most talked about project in Texas!    Remember, as Rev. Run says, “TEAM WORK makes DREAMS WORK!”    We look forward to meeting you at an upcoming meeting!   And, as always, keep checking JoinTheEpic.com.   With YOUR help, “It’s ‘gonna be EPIC!”

It’s getting closer!   We will be announcing all of our community meetings, Epic Encounters, where YOU and your family and friends can tell us what you would like to see in this legendary project!

You will have chances at meetings, special events, and of course through JoinTheEpic.com.   We WANT YOU!

Look for an announcement in the next week on all the exciting meetings and events.   The Epic is for EVERYONE.

In addition, the City Council will consider the Architect Contract on their Tuesday, October 14, 2014 meeting!     It’s gonna be Epic!

Rick Herold
Director, Parks, Arts & Recreation

Mayor Jensen will have an update for you in another month, but here is the latest news on your life-changing project…..

The Architectural team and sub-contractors are coming together nicely. We call them “The Dream Team”!   Their years of high profile projects, ability to listen to their clients, incredible vision, history of creativity, and their proven track record of bringing in projects on time and in budget, makes this a very special partnership.

We will be announcing all the team members in the first City Council meeting in October. Due to the complexity of the project, we needed our Lead Architect to have additional time to work out contracts and exact responsibilities.

NO, you haven’t missed one of our exciting community meetings, “Epic Encounters” where you will have another chance to “put your thumbprint” on The Epic project!   Look for dates, locations and times soon!   But, remember, YOU can always use JoinTheEpic.com and give us your thoughts and desires!

Look for your chance to be the first to win an JoinTheEpic.com t-shirt!   The date will be announced soon and the fun will be held at your Farmer’s Market on a upcoming Saturday!   Be the first to brag about YOUR EPIC!

There remains lots of research going on, because your project is so EPIC!   The fun begins in 2017!

Rick Herold
Director, Parks, Arts & Recreation

Wow!  The Request for Qualifications (RFQ)  for the lead architect for The Epic closed this week.   We are exicted to announce that 15 of the finest firms in America have submitted their interest, qualifications, and potential partners to the City.   While Staff will begin the process of review and evaluation of all the applicants, one thing is assured, Architects across America want to be part of this incredible project.   A project that will change lives for tens of thousands.

This weekly blog is dedicated to keep our bosses, “the citizens of Grand Prairie” updated on the progress of our project.   Please register on our site, www.JoinTheEpic.com and you will be kept in the loop each week with updates, changes, and important dates.   Remember, YOUR thumbprint can be included in this project!  We will be announcing soon a series of public meetings, Epic Encounters, where YOU can give us YOUR thoughts.  In addition, our www.JoinTheEpic.com site will allow you to make on-line suggestions and answer questions.

Together…we can really make it EPIC!

Rick

With an approval rate of 75%, Grand Prairie citizens voted to being “The Epic” project.  This legacy development will bring numerous additions to Central Park, including:  Major Recreation/Life Changing Center, indoor water park, amphitheater, library, trails, all-inclusive playground, and lake based recreation amenities.

Check back periodically for more information and regular updates, but more importantly, to share how YOU and YOUR family can leave a footprint on this project, through your wants, desires and vision!   This project is for every citizen, and we will begin having community “Envision the Epic Encounters” where you can provide input.  In addition, this site will have opportunities for you to submit suggestions on-line.

Central Park in Grand Prairie is destined to become one of the most life-changing parks in the state.   Already featuring “The Summit”, five lakes, impressive boardwalk, and a world-class Public Safety Building, the fun is just beginnings!

Request for proposals for the architect will be going out on May 15, 2014.  Your Epic Project is ready to start a new Grand Prairie legacy.  The fun begins in 2017!