Council to Bayside Developer: We Want the Crystal Lagoon

The city council of Rowlett, TX formally rejected proposed changes to Bayside, a massive, billion-dollar, mixed-use, public-private development on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard in the far east Dallas metro. Developer Tom D’Alesandro wanted to get rid of the project’s crystal lagoon, show fountain and trolleys. However, the council is adamant that the eight-acre crystal lagoon and fountain remain in place.

D’Alesandro took over developing the 257-acre project on Dalrock Road and Interstate 30 in late 2017 from Kent Donahue and Wilks Development. At a late July 2018 council meeting, D’Alesandro noted that the crystal lagoon wasn’t a necessity, and the fountain was impractical because of high winds in the area. Bayside Land Partners, the development organization, indicated that the changes would not alter the vision of the project and would lead to a more sustainable development.

But, Rowlett leaders didn’t agree, noting that the changes did alter the project’s vision.

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