Mayor Ron Jensen frames Grand Prairie's rise as 'keeping community together' amid growth

Mayor Ron Jensen used the State of the City discussion to describe the city's recent transformation and to outline his two main aims: keeping the community cohesive and bringing amenities that residents lacked growing up. "All I ever wanted to do was continue to keep our community together and not have split fractions," Jensen said, emphasizing teamwork and local investment.

Jensen credited the George Bush Turnpike with opening a "once in a lifetime opportunity" for development and highlighted city-funded amenities—including Epic Waters and expanded playgrounds—that helped attract hotels, restaurants and large private investment. He said attracting IKEA and other destination businesses validated the city's strategy: "The big step was when IKEA decided to choose us," Jensen said. Jensen also cautioned that successful projects required private investors to put money at risk and noted the city backed some projects with sales and property tax incentives.