By Laura Swift

The Murphy 4B Community Development Corporation has an abundance of projects in the works. Next on the list will be setting up the newly purchased Christmas tree in City Hall.

“The Christmas tree is 30.5 feet tall and will be built in-house each year,” said Kristen Roberts, director of economic and community development.

The new tree will be the center of attention during the city’s annual Christmas in the Park celebration, which will take place from 5-8 p.m. on Dec. 1 at City Hall. The community tree lighting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks are planned to start at 7:45 p.m.

Residents can take pictures with Santa, see live reindeer, and take family photos in the “ginormous” winter snow globe, Roberts said.

Another project on the horizon is establishing a neighborhood revitalization awards program.

4B Vice President Eric Hemphill said he has been interested in starting a neighborhood revitalization program in Murphy for quite some time.

“We could model the program off Richardson’s neighborhood vitality award program,” Hemphill said. “We could put a sign in the yard/front of the [structure], place an ad of the winner in the newspaper, and give winners a gift card. This would allow us to provide recognition for beautifying the city.”

The program would apply to both business and residential establishments, Hemphill said.

The city of Richardson started its neighborhood revitalization program in 1994 with the goal of recognizing property owners who made significant exterior improvements to their properties, and encouraging future individual reinvestments in the community.

Revitalization projects include making improvements to properties or structures that halt or reverse building decline, ongoing maintenance and refurbishment of structures and properties, and total redevelopment of a property or structure. Replacing buildings and facades, landscaping, replacing/adding exterior lighting and updating/installing exterior signage are a few examples of revitalization projects.

The Board directed city staff to research the city of Richardson’s neighborhood revitalization program and bring back information for the January 2012 meeting.

Additional 4B projects under development include park signage that will be placed throughout the city. Thirty signs that display park directions were recently delivered to the city and will be installed within a month, Roberts said.

“I’m really excited to see these signs go up,” said Boardmember Katie Westhora.

Playground equipment for Brentwood Park is expected to be delivered to the city this month. Projects included in the fiscal year 2011-2012 budget include securing price quotes for seating at Aviary and North Hill parks and adding trees and landscape beds at North Hill Park.

The Board plans to conduct its next meeting in January 2012.