Rowlett Chamber hears presentation on Bayside development

(ROWLETT, TX – Aug. 16, 2016) Texas developer Kent Donahue showcased the 260-acre Bayside development bringing a crystal lagoon to the former Elgin Robertson Park at Dalrock during the Rowlett Chamber of Commerce monthly membership luncheon last week, hosted by the Rowlett EDC.

The lagoon – which will span eight acres of clear crystal blue – will mark the first stage of development on the south side, with construction tentatively set to begin a couple of years from this coming Fall, after the development of the residential units and town homes on the project’s north side. The lagoon will reach a max depth of 13 feet and slope up to two white sand beachfront areas. A state-of-the-art show fountain will dazzle those relaxing on the beach or in the water with its 250 water nozzles, 29 fire nozzles and two video mist screens, utilizing technology said to be the first of its kind in the United States and surpassing that of the Bellagio show fountains in Las Vegas.

“There’ll be two swimming zones on the ends of the lagoon, and it’ll be beach access so you’ll have a gradual slope down to the water,” Donahue said. “The swimming zones will probably be about 5-6 feet deep at the max, and then the boating area zones will be as deep as 13 feet. But we’ll have lifeguards out there to make sure people have life jackets on when they get into deeper areas.”

According to Donahue, the water for the lagoon will not be chlorinated. “It’s a patented technology – it can use lake water, rain water, or ocean water,” he said. “What it does is it uses a series of disinfection pulses and chemicals, and it breaks the sediment down to the bottom of the lagoon. There’s a suction pod that runs along and constantly takes the sediment up. It’s very energy-efficient, a one-time fill. It’s not chlorinated, there’s a plastic liner on the bottom that feels like a real thick spongy bathmat to your feet, and with the white sand beaches at the ends you’ll feel like you’re at the ocean.”

The southern end of the development will also incorporate multifamily units, a 500-room resort anchoring on the western edge of the crystal lagoon, and 200,000 square feet of office and restaurant space fronting the crystal lagoon. As for the type of restaurants one can expect, Donahue said they aim to have “something for everyone,” from casual to more premium and fine-dining restaurants along the lagoon and show fountains. A 10 to 15-story residential condo tower is also in the works for the eastern side of the lagoon. Visitors can shuttle back and forth between these areas via a battery-operated, open-style bench trolley.

About 800,000 square feet of the entire south side will make up office and retail space, with 300,000 square feet of mixed use and dining space fronting on the lagoon or the central park green space. About 45 acres of parks and open green space are also planned for the south side, as well as a four-mile hiking/biking trail wide enough to accommodate golf carts and winding right alongside the lake.

For the development’s north side, Texas-based developer Western Rim will install 845 urban design multifamily residential units on 145 acres. The northern section will also include single family residential and town homes, as well as a commercial node with nearly 400,000 square feet of commercial space at the corner of Dalrock and I-30.

In regards to the anticipated heavy flow of traffic coming in and out of the development, Donahue said they’re currently working with TxDOT on designing the I-30 and Dalrock component to address those traffic concerns.

“In terms of getting over the lake from Dalrock, there are plans but that’s a much grander task, so timing on that is a little uncertain,” Donahue said. “There’s a lot of funding needed for that. But we hope that with what we’re doing with this development it will help create a sense of urgency to get I-30 fixed.”

Bayside Land Partners also plans a full service marina for the south side, and according to Donahue is currently working on a transition plan with the operator of Bayview Marina, which is located on the land Bayside is developing for its crystal lagoon.

For more on the Bayside development visit discoverbayside.com.

Story and photo Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News editor. Site plan rendering courtesy discoverbayside.com.