through the Main Street revitalization program. “A huge part of the Main Street project is actually rebuilding the infrastructure that’s underground there,” explains Emily Agans, the city’s communication and media manager.“A large part of it is also redoing the water and sewer that runs along Main Street as well to improve that service for downtown Denison as a whole.” Some discovered infrastructure dates back 150 years, requiring complete replacement during the streetscape improvements. The collaborative approach that Mayor Crawley calls “Team Denison” encompasses all city departments, the school district, and local businesses. “It takes all of us working together closely to make our community great,” he emphasizes, describing how coordinated planning allows the city to address both legacy infrastructure needs and rapid growth simultaneously. SAFETY, HEALTHCARE, AND RECREATION Denison’s approach to public safety has produced measurable results that directly impact business operations and insurance costs. “We were named an ISO one rating by the insurance companies, which is the highest and best rating that we can get, which effectively helps lower the insurance cost of each of our citizens,” says Mayor Crawley. The ISO-1 fire rating places Denison among an elite group of communities nationwide, while the police department has recorded declining crime rates for three consecutive years. Healthcare infrastructure anchors the city’s quality of life proposition. Texoma Medical Center, now operated by Universal Health Services, employs over 3,500 people as Denison’s largest employer. “That hospital now has almost any specialty you can imagine represented on the hospital staff,” Mayor Crawley notes. The facility’s growth from a city-owned hospital to a comprehensive medical center occurred through a strategic partnership that generated $42 million in profit for the city, funds used to create the Texoma Health Foundation. Recreation amenities support residents and economic 111 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09 DENISON, TX
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