2016 Bond Election & Projects

This page contains information about the 2016 Bond Election. For details about the 2023 Bond Program and Citizen Engagement process, visit CityofAllen.org/Bond.

In May 2016, voters approved five propositions to enhance public safety facilities, parks and recreation facilities, library facilities, street improvements, and public art by issuing General Obligation (GO) bonds.

Bond elections are typically held every 5-7 years, with the next one expected in November 2023. Visit CityofAllen.org/Bond to learn more and get involved!

2016 Bond Project Selection

All projects included in the 2016 bond election were identified by a citizen-led committee and more than 100 volunteers who gathered community feedback and set priorities to meet Allen's current and future needs.

2016 Bond Project Status Report

Learn more about the projects included in each of the bond propositions by clicking the links below:

2016 Bond Election Results

Public Safety Facilities
Proposition 1
$24.445 million
 FOR: 3,775 (85%) AGAINST: 648 (15%)
Parks and Recreational Facilities
Proposition 2
$27 million
 FOR: 3,527 (80%) AGAINST: 894 (20%)
Municipal Library Facilities
Proposition 3
$16.045 million
 FOR: 3,345 (76%) AGAINST: 1,055 (24%)
Street Improvements
Proposition 4
$23.89 million
 FOR: 3,871 (87%) AGAINST: 554 (13%)
Public Art
Proposition 5
$1.77 million
 FOR: 2,410 (55%) AGAINST: 1,982 (45%)

Public Safety Facilities

Police Firearms Training Center

Completed Fall 2018Police officers participate in a training exercise at an indoor gun range.

By partnering with Collin College, the City of Allen saved taxpayers $3.3 million from the estimated cost of a police training facility. Allen Police receive dedicated access to the McKinney training center for the next 50 years.

Central Fire Station Expansion

Completed Fall 2020
Brick exterior of a modern fire station, which features a large metallic number "one"

Central Fire Station expanded to house firefighters in a larger wing while also expanding and renovating the administrative staff's work area. The updates are expected to meet the needs of the station's response area for the next 30 years.

Fire Station 6 Construction

Opening Spring 2024
Artist rendering of a New England-style brick fire station with arched fire engine bays

Located off Ridgeview Drive and Watters Road, Fire Station 6 will be Allen's final fire station. Its construction coincides with surrounding development along State Highway 121 to address the needs of our growing population.

Parks and Recreational Facilities

Terrell Recreation Center

Opening Summer 2023
Artist rendering of the exterior of a large recreation center, featuring stone and glass accents

Opening in Summer 2023, this 149,000 square-foot facility located near W. Exchange Parkway and Ridgeview Drive boasts eleven gymnasiums for recreation and competitive play, an indoor walk/jog track, indoor playground, child watch facilities, outdoor fitness deck and more. Details.

Molsen Farm

Trailhead construction in Summer 2023
Renderings of a large outdoor gathering space with large event lawn, playground areas and parking

One of the last working farms in Allen, this 94-acre property will feature a trailhead and parking, set to break ground in Summer 2023. A public input process and resulting master plan identified other desired amenities, including community gardens and an activity center.

Spirit Park: Phase 2

Ongoing
An aerial view of a large park with four softball diamonds, surrounded by large open areas

Since first opening in 2017, Spirit Park has expanded to include a new cricket pitch, shade structures and additional parking. Planning for Phase 2 is expected to kick off in late 2024 or early 2025.

Aerial map of land boundaries. A 16-acre parcel is highlighted to indicate purchased land

Park Land Acquisition

Completed July 2022

The 2016 bond program earmarked $3 million for the purchase of land for park use, with priorities on open space, neighborhood parks, community parks and practice fields. The funding was used to purchase 16 acres of land bordering the existing Molsen Farm property.

Municipal Library Facilities

Library Expansion

Expected opening: Spring 2025
Exterior rendering of a large library facility with highlighted areas showing a proposed expansion

An expansion and renovation will add more than 10,000 square feet of public meeting space, collection space and an updated book handling system. Architectural designs will be completed Summer 2023 with work beginning Fall 2023. Details.

Parking Lot Expansion

Completed 2017
Aerial map of a large library facility, with highlighted sections indicating future parking lots

An expansion of the Allen Public Library parking lot added more than 100 spaces in 2017. An additional 150 spaces are planned to meet the needs of an expanded library facility.

Street Improvements

Ridgeview Drive Construction

A freshly-paved roadway with crisply-painted markings extends into the distance

The last segment of Ridgeview Drive to connect Chelsea Boulevard to US-75 will begin construction in Fall 2023. Bond funding was used to purchase land, design and build previous segments of roadway and the bridge over Cottonwood Creek.

Signal/Intersection Upgrades

Two people prepare to cross a busy street as traffic flows beneath a new traffic signal

Nearly every intersection with a traffic signal has been upgraded or improved with bond funds over the last seven years. Projects include new electronic hardware, construction of new signals and rebuilding intersections to operate more efficiently.

Median Lighting & Landscape

A center median with a street light and masses of red yucca plants divides a tree-lined city street

Trees, shrubs, hardscape and street lights are added once roads reach their final expected width. Alma Drive and Exchange Parkway both received enhanced landscaping and lighting with 2016 bond funding; Watters Road received street lights only until additional lanes are added.

Downtown Paving

Construction workers apply asphalt surfacing to a street

Drivers in the downtown Allen area enjoy smoother streets thanks to 2016 bond funding for asphalt maintenance and replacement.

Roadway Partnerships

Construction workers and equipment surround the median of a 2-lane city street

The City of Allen stretched local bond dollars further by partnering with Collin County for some project costs on two major regional connectors: Ridegview Drive and Alma Drive.

Concrete Streets & Alleys

Low angle of a residential street which has been newly paved with concrete

2016 bond funding helped supplement other funding sources to replace broken panels of concrete throughout the community.

Public Art

joshua wiener public art

Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center and Community Park

Sculptural artist Joshua Wiener will create a series of playful and imaginative sculptures to be placed along the trails in the community park. Approved by Allen City Council in March 2023, the $287,500 installment will be built using 2016 bond funding.

Other recent projects funded by Allen's Public Art budget include "All In" at Don Rodenbaugh Aquatics Center "Current Drift" on the Cottonwood Creek Trail Bridge, "Perpetual Flux" at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center and "Spirit of Play" at Spirit Park.

Previous Projects

Flowing, silver-toned metalwork adorns the panels of a large pedestrian bridgeCurrent Drift
Cottonwood Creek Trail

Enormous, flower-like sculptures fill the landscape in a large parkSpirit of Play
Spirit Park

A hanging mobile of colorful glass-like shapes is suspended from a glass rotundaPerpetual Flux
Credit Union of Texas
Event Center

Large piece of public art hangs in a lobbyAll In
Don Rodenbaugh
Aquatics Center

Public Art Master Plan

2016 (Current) | View as PDF