Mesquite, TX – May 25, 2021 – Cloudy skies and some light rain didn’t put a damper on the Grand Opening of the new Front Street Station in Downtown Mesquite on May 22. Mesquite residents, City Council members and the Downtown Mesquite Advisory Board participated in the ribbon cutting and celebrated the opening of the City’s $5.5 million infrastructure improvement project with free snow cones, food trucks, vendors and live music.
Mayor Bruce Archer said, “To those who grew up in Mesquite and visited downtown as a child like I did, go back and remember a time when Downtown Mesquite was a vibrant place of energy and motion… Then we went for too many years where downtown endured decay and struggle... But the few who believed in downtown, the few who believed in Mesquite, they never gave up and they worked, they fought for and advocated for downtown. The dream didn’t die. And soon many came together and here we are today.”
Mayor Archer emphasized the journey of Downtown Mesquite will continue, first with the new Farmer’s Market beginning this summer. New businesses such as the upcoming Alejandro’s @ Front Street Station adds to the momentum of the revitalization efforts. Also, a new downtown development office and visitor center will open later this year that will house Downtown Mesquite as well as the Mesquite Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The completion of Front Street Station is the first major improvement project in downtown since the beginning of the City of Mesquite’s downtown development program in 2018. The project has provided new underground infrastructure necessary for new development, including new water lines, grease traps and other improvements. Above ground, the project features an area for events and vendor booths, public art, a performance pavilion, as well as new parking spaces and landscaping.
To learn more about Downtown Mesquite, visit www.cityofmesquite.com/Downtown.
Read Mayor Bruce Archer’s speech below:
Good afternoon.
It is a great day in the history of Mesquite, TX!
Today, we celebrate another milestone in the redevelopment of Downtown Mesquite - the City of Mesquite’s $5.5 million dollar infrastructure improvement project known as “Front Street Station”.
I want to take a moment to recognize some important leaders here with us today:
- Mayor Councilmember Tandy Boroughs
- Councilmember B.W. Smith
- Councilmember Sherry Wisdom
- Councilmember Kenny Green
This type of significant improvement is creating investments by existing property owners as well as attracting new businesses.
All of whom are choosing Downtown Mesquite.
I am thankful to our city staff, the downtown merchants and the volunteer downtown board for teaming up together to make this project happen.
There are a few people and companies I specifically I want to acknowledge.
Please hold your applause.
- Kimley-Horn for designing this beautiful and historical tribute to Mesquite
- DDM Construction for building the project and bringing those ideas to life
- Advisory Board Chairman Lisa Haar and her board for all their important input and advice throughout the process
- Wes McClure, our Assistant City Engineer, for overseeing all aspects of the project
- Beverly Abell, our Downtown Manager, for her consistent guidance and expertise
- And, our City Manager, Cliff Keheley, for his visionary leadership to take the Council’s goal of revitalizing downtown… and make it a reality.
- I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the man who never gave up hope of a new day for downtown – Mr. Art Greenhaw!
Let’s give them all a round of applause.
Speaking of the City Council, I want to thank the members of the current City Council as well as those who served on past City Councils for never giving up on the dream of energizing Downtown Mesquite!
I see Mayor Stan Pickett here today, who made a huge difference in helping us get here today.
The cutting of the Front Street Station ribbon will be another step forward on the journey to creating a sense of place and purpose here in Downtown Mesquite.
And Downtown Mesquite is not done!
However, I want us to take just a moment to reflect.
To those here today who grew up in Mesquite and visited downtown often as a child like I did – go back and remember a time when downtown Mesquite was a vibrant place of energy and motion.
It was a place where the arts flourished, our city’s history preserved and honored, a place where the demands of commerce were met a place where recreation and joy could be found by everyday working families.
Then we went for too many years where downtown endured decay and struggle and the vision of continued progress stayed with only a few optimistic leaders. And we know that the world itself can be changed by the actions and hopes of a few. And at one point, some even said, “Not much can be done for downtown.”
But the few who believed in downtown, the few who believed in Mesquite – never gave up – and they worked, they fought for and advocated for downtown, and long time businesses hung in there and kept trying – and a young parks director named Cliff Keheley became an ally in that effort – and ultimately – the dream didn’t die – and soon instead of a few – many came together – and here we are today.
And to those who said downtown could not be saved or rejuvenated – let them come here today! Let them come see the progress being made!
So indeed, the journey continues on after today!
Downtown Mesquite will have the new Farmer’s Market starting up again.
Downtown Mesquite will have new restaurants arriving soon.
Downtown Mesquite will be home to the new downtown development office and visitor center that will open later this year.
We are moving forward with many great things happening here, in Downtown Mesquite.
So, let me conclude using a few lines from the famous song entitled “Downtown”
“Maybe I’ll see you here.
We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares and go…downtown.
Things are great when you’re downtown.
Don’t wait a minute more.
Everything is waiting for you in… DOWNTOWN MESQUITE!”
Before, I conclude, take a minute to reflect – the past greatness of downtown – the hard work to rebound – and the great days to come!
And to Mesquite, I say to you “Upward and Onward!”
Thank you. 
