Railroad recognizes city’s centennial
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| At the January 5, 2010 regular Grand Prairie City Council meeting, Clint Schelbitzki, 3rd from left, presents Grand Prairie Mayor Charles England, center, with a check from Union Pacific Railroad for $5,000 to honor of the city's centennial celebration. |
During Tuesday’s regular City Council meeting, Union Pacific Railroad recognized the city’s centennial celebration with a check for $5,000. The money will be used towards funding a downtown art history project to be completed this year that commemorates the city’s one hundred years.
Clint Schelbitzki, Director of Public Affairs, Union Pacific Railroad, noted the railroad and Grand Prairie have been neighbors for more than 100 years. Beginning in 1876 when the Texas and Pacific Railroad came to the city when it was known as Dechman.
“We wanted to honor the city as they just completed its centennial year in 2009,” Schelbitzki said. “Union Pacific just wanted to commend the city for the steps it’s taken in being a good neighbor and looking out for the best interest of safety for the railroad.” He specifically noted Grand Prairie’s creation of quiet zone crossings and crossing enforcement cameras.
City of Grand Prairie Communications and Marketing Director Amy Sprinkles then presented Schelbitzki with Historic Marker #65. The marker approved at the last Historic Commission meeting, honors the original depot site and commemorates the railroad’s history in Grand Prairie.
