The plan to showcase Allen’s agricultural heritage is getting even bigger.
On July 26, city council members agreed to spend $2.3 million for 14 additional acres of Molsen Farms, located off Greenville Avenue and Ridgemont Drive. The city already owns 52 acres of the property.
The property owner worked with the City of Allen and Allen ISD to split the remaining 30-acre tract. Allen ISD will use 16 acres to develop its agricultural program.
Voters already approved bond funding to develop Molsen Farms into a special-use park, including community gardens and an environmental center. The extra acreage will allow for development of a trailhead and additional pedestrian paths. Funding is anticipated to be available in 2019.
Allen will take advantage of a $450,000 grant awarded through the Collin County Parks Foundation Advisory Board to help fund the purchase of the additional tract.
The balance will be covered with parkland acquisition bond funds.
The sale of the property is expected to close in August.