Wylie TX 75098

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Every town has a proverbial Main Street. Here in Wylie Texas it’s known as Ballard Avenue. The street is located west of SH 78 which runs North and South. Ballard itself runs East and West and the downtown area consists of two and a half city blocks and it currently houses approximately 40 businesses.

Ballard Ave. is historic in the sense that it has just about been here since the city started as Nickleville before it’s naming of Wylie. In 1920, Wylie received electrical service and streetlights. Ballard Ave. was graveled in 1923, prior to that it was a dirt street.

Businesses have come and gone on Ballard, and in December 1998, two fires (one on the 9th and another on the 11th) destroyed and/ or damaged a dozen or so businesses. The city and it’s citizens used this unfortunate opportunity to revitalize the downtown area.

This article will discuss the current businesses on Ballard Ave. in the downtown area. If I’ve missed any please accept my apologies and feel free to comment and add your business.

We will start this tour at Hwy. 78 and go west on the north side of the street.

Farmers Insurance Boyd Recording Studio’s Quick Response Technologies - Computer sales and repair. Tasty Wok - Great Chinese food with a buffet. Rick’s Home Store - Rustic and Leather Furniture. Taste of Home/Almost Home - Antique Mall and Restaurant. Hunters ATM Party Store - Party Supplies Twisted Pepper - Gifts, Hot Stuff, Peppers. Downtown Salon Suites The Wylie News - Local Newspaper Ballard Street Cafe - Great Food and Service Absolute Fitness Texas Land and petroleum Co. Tanning Center Allstate Insurance Jeffrey’s Discovery Savage, Inc. - Water jet cutting services, Rolling Services, Surface treatment Services, Milling services, Spraying services, Sharpening service, Turning services, Electro discharge machining EDM services, Electro chemical machining ECM services, Chem milling services, Punching services. This facility is the 200 block of Wylie on the north side.

On the south side of Ballard from Hwy. 78 are the following businesses.

Vertigo - Skateboards and apparel L & L Cafe Shoemaker & Hardt Coffee shop Avon Veteran Country Music Supplies Twin Creeks Gift shop Wrights Barber Shop Carroll Jewelry Circle Candles Indulgence - Ladies Boutique Simply Nails & Hair The Ole Back Porch Gift Shop Pediatric Asssn. of Wylie - pediatric Dr. Davis & Co. Wylie Flower and Gifts shop Ballard St. School of the Professional Arts Donut Craver C & D Designs - Gifts and Personal Embroidery City Nails La Flor - Mexican Restaurant Mr. Jim’s Pizza Fina Gas Station

These are the businesses which service downtown Wylie. As you can see the businesses are diverse, and parking is always at a premium since the citizenry frequent these shops through the day.

Come Shop with us and learn about downtown Wylie.

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If you’re a current resident or contemplating a move to Wylie Texas, and your desire is to Make A Difference, be assured that there is ample opportunity to do so.

There are 20 churches located in Wylie proper in which you can volunteer your time to help others. Most if not all, depending on size, have vehicles to give both financial or sustenance aid to people and families in need in the community. And, with those you have an option to donate to them, or you can participate as a volunteer and/or expediter to dispense those goods.

The City of Wylie has a program called Reach for a Star, which is designed to assist families during the holiday season. It is an out- reach program supported by the Wylie ISD, community churches, and local businesses and organizations. The City also works in partnership with The Christian Care Center on Ballard Street. While Reach for a Star program makes toys and clothing available, The Christian Care Center provides families in need, and seniors, with food and other services year round. So donations of money, food, and time are well spent here.

The City of Wylie also has The Bart Peddicord Community Center. The center is located in the old Wylie Post Office building on Oak street and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, it houses the Wylie Seniors program and Meals on Wheels. The seniors program strives to provide Wylie seniors with fellowship and other activities. The center can also be rented for for meetings or special events.

Also provided is Collin County Area Rural Transit (CCART) which is a non-profit division of the Collin County committee on Aging, and has been in existence for 25 years. Funding is provided by Federal, State, and local governments, The United Way, and fares/ donations along with contracts for service. Their vehicles range from Mini/Maxi vans and are accessible to those who are riders in wheel chairs. All vehicles are ‘curb to curb’ services and radio dispatched. The CCART drivers are not allowed to enter private residences or leave their vehicles unattended.

Along with the area’s mentioned above there are a number of benevolent/global organizations which either have offices to representatives here in Wylie. Some of those are; 1. The Ancient Free and Accepted Masons East Fork Lodge founded in February of 1887… 2. The Caanon Foundation - which provides computers to African Nations for educational purposes…3. Challenged Sportsman of America - providing handicap awareness through education and participation in outdoor activities… 4. Rockwall School of Music - a Kindermusik Education with excellent programs for ages birth through 7 years. If you are an accomplished musician this is the place for you. These as well as others are available, you will just have to research the area for your niche.

If you have a passion to Make A Difference then that is available to you in this community. Contact the City of Wylie, The Chamber of Commerce, local Churches and others and get started today.

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Wylie Texas is a small town in southeast Collin county with an estimated population of 32,696 and a projected population of 39,000 by the end of 2008.

This article will attempt to inform you of what’s cooking at Wylie’s best eateries, by type. No matter what your tastebuds are hankering for, you’ll find something to satisfy that craving. We have all of the best restaurants available! Find out where to eat! We will list categories of what is available in Wylie.

Fast Food:
McDonalds
Sonic
Wendy’s
Arby’s
Subway
Quiznos Subs
KFC
Taco Delight
Taco Bell
Jack In The Box
Wingstreet
Wings to Go

Pizza:
Dominos
Pizza Hut
Italian Villa
Pizza Inn
Mr. Jim’s
PaPa Murphy’s
Lil Caesar
Napoli’s Deep Dish
CiCi’s Pizza
Goodfella’s Pizza
Papa John’s

Tex-Mex/Mexican:
Dos Charros Restaurant
La Flor Mexican Cocina
Taqueria La Reynita
Miguela’s Mexican & Seafood
Marcellas Cocina

Chineese:
Tasty Wok
Lucky Chans

Coffee Houses:
Starbuck’s
Shoemaker & Hardt

Full Service Restaurants:
Dickey’s BBQ
Chili’s
Steak Kountry
Napolis Pizza and Restaurant
Italian Villa Restaurant
Lakeway Smokehouse
L-N-L’s Cafe
Ballard Street Cafe & Grill
Taste of Home
Woodbridge Grill

Donut Shops:
Donut Cravers
Baker’s Donut Shop

Some years back, Wylie was the typical Texas small town. Everyone knew everyone else and there were no surprises when it came to things to do or places to go. Times have changed. Wylie continues to have the small town charm, but the booming growth in population it’s brought a lot of new people into the city.

Wylie was created with the newcomer, visitor, and the occasional old-timer in mind. This article is provided to give information where our visitors can find current and accurate information on where to eat, in Wylie.

In short, we want to make it easy for our Wylie residents and visitors to, eat, and experience Wylie.

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Wylie Texas is a city in Southeast Collin County and is a Northeast suburb of Dallas Texas. With it’s rapid growth since the year 2000 it has spread into Dallas County, and Rockwall County in the U.S. census for the State of Texas. With the 2000 census, the city population was 15,132, but recent rapid growth has 2004 estimates suggesting the population is at 25,850. Once solely located in Collin County, Wylie has extended into neighboring Dallas and Rockwall counties. Both Lake Lavon and Lake Ray Hubbard are within easy reach of the city. Since the 2000 census the population has grown 109.3%, making Wylie number 8 on the list of fastest growing cities in the nation. Current population is now listed at 32,696 with an estimated growth to 39,000 + or - by the end of 2008, by the City of Wylie.

In the 1890s, the town of Wylie had been served by one small school with limited funding primarily by the parents of students of the school. Ovid Birmingham noticed this problem and established the Wylie ISD in 1901-1902. He set limits of the district that all citizens in that area would pay taxes to uphold the district. The Birmingham family soon provided money to build the Original Wylie High School. The School has moved from several buildings in its history.

Most of the Collin County portion of Wylie is served by Wylie Independent School District. The Dallas County portion is served by Garland Independent School District. The Rockwall County portion is served by Rockwall Independent School District.

Wylie ISD is a fast growing school system in southern Collin County, 24 miles northeast of metropolitan Dallas and its cultural, educational and recreational amenities. Covering 41 square miles, the UIL Class 5A district of more than 10,000 students serves the City of Wylie as well as families in the surrounding communities of Sachse, Murphy, Lucas, Lavon and St. Paul Texas.

The City of Wylie has it’s eye set on education. Available schooling is comprised of the Wylie ISD, Private Schools comprised of Pre-K preporitory and full curicullum schools, and Home Schooling by independent parents.

The Wylie ISD offers an outstanding academic program with a focus on character education beginning in elementary school. The curriculum includes a wide range of programs from culinary arts to television production. The district emphasizes technology in the classroom with that being a communications tool for parents. The current 17 campuses include Wylie High School (grades 10 through 12), Wylie East High School (grade 9), Special Programs Center (grades K-12), three junior high schools (grades 7 and 8), three intermediate schools (grades 5 and 6) and eight elementary campuses (grades Pre-K through 4).

In 2007, Wylie East High School opened for the 2007-2008 school year. The school serves solely the ninth grade students. Wylie East will become a 9-12 school with Class of 2012 being the first class to graduate after the district voted to go with multiple 9-12 campuses in January 2008.

It’s Mission Statement is “The Wylie Independent School District, in partnership with parents and the community, will provide all students a world-class academic education which will prepare them to lead successful and productive lives.”

The Student Demographics, as of 2006 statistics is comprised of the following: 51% Male; 49% Female - 62% Caucasian - 18% Hispanic - 13% African American - 5% Asian - 1% Native American. and 1% Other. Economically disadvantaged 21%, and the Average student to teacher ratio is 15:1.

In summary, with all of the above said, Wylie Texas is dedicated to education. In addition to those area’s discussed above there are a number of Community Colleges, Trade Education programs, as well as others located within Wylie, Collin County and the outlying area’s of Wylie. So if you’re moving to Wylie or thinking about a move feel confident that as far as education it is here, either in Wylie or within reach with a few miles of travel.

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If you are contemplating a move to the Wylie, Texas area then these are some things you’d want to know. Saying that a few things are happening in Wylie would be an understatement. Wylie is one of the fastest growing communities in Texas, and Wylie has a number of projects that are in the planning or construction stage. Some of those are street and road improvements along with new buildings and facilities, to park improvements, the City of Wylie is working to meet the needs of it’s growing population.

It’s a pretty much accepted fact that a Texas home is one of the best investments you can make; but like many things in life, timing is everything. Recent worrisome talk about subprime mortgages, falling property values, foreclosures and slow real estate markets are keeping more than a few homeowners up at night. The cure for those concerns is information.

Remember, the real estate game is best played over the long haul. So trust time to be on your side! Mortgage rates are at a two-year low. If you finance your home while rates are low, you can save hundreds of dollars a year (or more), according to Freddie Mac’s January 10, 2008 Primary Mortgage Market Survey: The average principal and interest payment on a $250,000 loan has dropped by $131.83 per month since August 3, 2007.

The city of Wylie has more than sufficient Real Estate agents to assist you in making a choice. A number of those are national firms as well as builders. Some of those are Remax, Century 21, Coldwell Banker and others. some of the builders are Choice Homes, Era Signature Homes, Country Ridge, Sage Creek Phase 8 and others.

The Real Estate market in Wylie is still strong and there is value from Wylie ISD to the convenience of outdoors activities. As a resident you’ll have quick access to Lake Lavon, Lake Ray Hubbard as well as many other parks and recreation areas that are our little secrets.

From Seis Lagos to Birmingham Farms, there is a host of subdivisions that will meet every type of home buyer’s tastes and price range. It is hard not to find exactly what you are looking for in a home in Wylie Texas - the variety of builders make Wylie a great place to call home!

Our tax rates are lower than other equitable communities and the Mayor has stated that he wants a decrease to be considered in the near future. The value of the school systems, convenience of bus service and quality of teachers all play a part in property values,and the ability to hold those to a high rate. Wylie ISD serves approximately 3,220 students in Pre-K through 12th grade on five campuses. WISD was ranked an “Exemplary” district for seven consecutive years from 1996-2003. The district continues to rate as one of the best School Districts in Texas by the Texas Education Agency. WISD has also been rated “Superior” by TEA’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas. This is the highest rating awarded by the state.

Public Safety sets Wylie apart from other cities. Wylie’s Crime Rate continues to be one of the lowest in North Texas and Wylie Fire Rescue maintains its ISO 1 rating. Community involvement through the Citizens Police Academy, Volunteers in Policing, CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) and SkyWarn weather spotting, strengthens the Emergency response and preparedness.

The City of Wylie projects an expected population growth of 39,000+ or - by the end of 2008

But, there is another side of the city’s growth and that is the commercial and business development here in Wylie. With the growth, Wylie has now home to an expanding business climate with industrial and commercial development.

As Wylie continues to experience residential growth, more businesses are popping up on the Wylie landscape. According to the Texas Comptroller’s Office, there were 843 active sales tax businesses located in Wylie, Texas (zip code 75098) as of January 1, 2007. In 2006, there were only 204 new sales tax permits issued for the 75098 zip code.

With increased commercial development, the City continues to experience substantial growth in sales tax revenue. For the 2006 fiscal year, the City received $4.39 million in sales tax revenue, which represented a 24% increase since the 2005 fiscal year.

There is more than one (1) million square feet of retail and commercial development approved in Wylie that is still to be built. The majority of this development is located along the FM 544 and Highway 78 thoroughfares. With proactive evaluation and planning for retail development, they anticipate increasing Wylie’s retail base which will provide Wylie and surrounding small towns with additional shopping options having a considerable impact on the City’s sales tax revenues.

Some of the things under consideration are; 1. A New Library (40,000+ sq ft), Recreation Center (40,000 + sq ft) and a New City Hall with final planning still in the works by the City Council., 2. Woodbridge Crossing development anchored by Target. The center, scheduled to open Summer 2009, features 575,000 sq. ft. of retail space and a potential $202 million in retail sales., 3. More than 13 miles of new and reconstructed roadways, funded through the State, County and City bonds, to be completed in the next five years. Roads include Ballard Avenue, McCreary Road, Stone Road, FM 1378, Brown Street and McMillen Road.

The Mayor feels that the City, School District, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Merchants Association, Economic Development Corporation, citizens and community organizations working together will provide the future success of the City of Wylie.

So there you have it Wylie, Texas a once sleepy little town, becoming the rose of Collin County and one of the fastest growing communities in the DFW Metroplex.

Visit the Wylie Texas Community at Cagora.com