Lake Ridge POA Builds Close Ties with Cities

by Chad McCurdy, President of Lake Ridge POA

Lake Ridge POA, which stretches across two municipalities of Cedar Hill and Grand Prairie, has forged close ties with Cedar Hill.  As Cedar Hill’s largest master-planned development, Lake Ridge has more than 1,300 homes located in the southwest corner of the city overlooking Joe Pool Lake.  It is some of the most beautiful and unique geography in North Texas.

The long term relationship with Cedar Hill has been a boon to master Lake Ridge POA and its seven sub association, a beneficial result of the involvement of many of the community’s POA board members/leaders who serve on municipal boards and maintain close contact with the city. 

 The community was recently honored by the City of Cedar Hill,
which named Lake Ridge the 2014 Premier Neighborhood.

At least five or our homeowners and POA leaders currently represent the community on the city Economic Development Council, the Planning and Zoning Board, the City Council, and the Neighborhood Advisory Board.   Mayor Pro Tem Chris Parvin is also a Lake Ridge homeowner.

When I first moved to Lake Ridge in 2007, there were no community activities. A community our size needs these types of activities so that we can get to know and trust each other. It was about this time that our golf tournament and the non-profit community foundation began.

The golf tournament has accomplished a lot for the community. Through sales of advertising and sponsorships we have donated money to local charities, paid for our newsletters and created a lot of goodwill within the city toward Lake Ridge. The golf tournament made others aware of what Lake Ridge had to offer. Real Estate prices are more reasonable, traffic is lighter and people are less hurried.

The years between 2008 and 2011 were challenging for a lot of neighborhoods. During the economic downturn we had over 100 bank owned properties in our community. Some of these homes were incomplete and either eyesores or outright hazards. We worked with the cities of Cedar Hill and Grand Prairie to apply pressure to either complete them or tear them down. Today the bank-owned properties in Lake Ridge are a thing of the past.

Lake Ridge is definitely seeing a rebound.  Since January 2014 there have been 124 welcome letters sent to new residents and 16 house plans submitted for new home construction. Currently 27 homes are under construction, not to mention all the homeowners who are adding new pools, patios, outdoor kitchens. 

The landscape committee and Board were involved with the new landscaping that was included in the walking/biking path projected that extends through the neighborhood. The city held their weekly construction meetings in the community center conference room. The bottom line is that we have a great working relationship with city officials and it benefits the community.

We don’t constantly come to the city with our hand out. We bring value to the table and help them solve their problems too. It is the recognition that we are stronger together than on our own that has brought us this far.

Editor’s note:  The community was recently honored by the City of Cedar Hill, which named Lake Ridge the 2014 Premier Neighborhood.