North Texas News

Council Meeting Recap: TxDOT funds for intersection safety, fiber lines for new facilities and more.

From new water slides to intersection safety improvements, Allen City Council approved several projects during the Dec. 13 meeting. Read on for the highlights. The full agenda and meeting video are available here.Self-storage facility and office to be built at US 75 and Curtis LaneCity Council approved a planned development on the northwest corner of US 75 and Curtis Lane that will include a three-story self-storage and office building.The property owner, Montfort Capital, met with residents of the nearby neighborhood to develop a plan that lessens neighborhood impacts while meeting the property owner’s needs. The self-storage facility will include all interior accessible units and no drive-up units or exterior doors. In addition, the facility will be secured by controlled access entry and surveillance at building access points.

These plans include an 85-foot green space to separate the building from the nearby residential property, as well as a section of new bike and hike trail and additional trees and landscaping.New commerce center coming to 121 corridorCouncilmembers approved plans to construct two warehouse/distribution buildings at the corner of SH 121 and North Watters Road (immediately west of Life Time Fitness). Zoning for this portion of land was amended to allow for warehouse/distribution use.Development plans also include a s new bike and hike trail segment that will connect to nearby sidewalks.Reappointments made to several City positionsJudge Cynthia Porter Gore was reappointed as Allen’s Municipal Court Judge. In addition, Michelle Montemayor and Donald McDermitt were reappointed as Alternate Judges. Terri Daniel was appointed as a new third Alternate Judge for Allen Municipal Court.City Council also reappointed Kevin Hoffman, MD, as the Health Authority for the City of Allen. In accordance with Texas Health and Safety Code, a health authority is a physician appointed for a two-year term to administer public health state and local laws for the municipality. Dr. Hoffman has served as the City of Allen’s Health Authority since September 2020.These official appointments expire in 2024.Allen awarded advance TxDOT funding for intersection safety improvements and landscapingThe City of Allen is a recipient of a Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Grant through the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). This grant program is designed to improve safety and reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The grant will fund improvements at 11 intersections including:Alma Dr. and Hedgcoxe Rd.Alma Dr. and Comanche Dr.Bethany Dr. and Malone Rd.Exchange Parkway and Andrews ParkwayGreenville Ave. and Ridgemont Dr.Greenville Ave. and Bethany Dr.Hedgcoxe Rd. and Duchess Dr.McDermott Rd. and Watters Rd.Stacy Rd. and Andrews ParkwayStacy Rd. and Chelsea Blvd.Stacy Rd. and Watters Rd.Various traffic signal related improvements will be implemented including one new traffic signal installation, rewiring of existing traffic signals, traffic detection camera upgrades, and accessible pedestrian crossing upgrades.City Council also approved an Advance Funding Agreement with TxDOT for funding landscape and scenic elements to the Allen Gateway project at Allen Drive and US 75 interchange.While phase 1 of the Allen Gateway project is nearly complete, phase 2 will include all landscaping surrounding the new interchange and a new pedestrian fence on the existing overpass. The approved TxDOT advance funding will apply to phase 2.The amount of TxDOT funding will be determined after design plans and specifications for phase 2 have been complete.New fiber platform contract and new fiber lines to be installed at STRC and Fire Station 6The City will add two new leased fiber lines to serve Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center (STRC) and Fire Station 6 with Council’s approval of a new ten-year contract with Unite Private Network (UPN).Seven City facilities were upgraded with fiber hardware in 2018 when Council first approved a contract with UPN. The fiber network upgrade vastly improved both the speed and capacity of the City’s data network. This new contract will expand the City’s fiber network to include the new facilities for a total of nine lines at the same monthly cost paid for the existing network with no up-front construction costs.Fitness equipment and food service equipment secured for Stephen G. Terrell Recreation CenterStephen G. Terrell Recreation Center (STRC) is another step closer to completion with funding approved for fitness and food service equipment.Team Marathon Fitness and Advanced Exercise were selected to provide STRC fitness equipment at a cost of $1,088,836. Equipment will include:50 cardio stations with treadmills, ellipticals, upright bikes, recumbent bikes, spin bikes and Adaptive Motion Trainers15 free-weight stations: multiple dumbbell (5lb – 100lb) and barbell sets, adjustable benches, Olympic bench systems, full squat racks and smith system.20 select zone stations: upper body, lower body and core machines10 plate loaded stations: upper body and lower bodyFunctional training equipment medicine balls, kettlebells, tires, resistance tubes, and plyoboxes40 group exercise stations: spin bikes and matsOutdoor Fitness Deck: Beaver Fit Shred Shed with multiple workout stationsInstallation, training and preventative maintenance for one year is included with the purchase.East Bay Restaurant Supply was selected to provide food service and kitchen equipment totaling over $160,000 for the concession stand area and catering kitchen at STRC.This equipment will be used to provide concessions and food catering options for tournaments, rentals, birthday parties, special events and youth/adult leagues.Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium to receive new indoor water slideA new water slide is coming to Don Rodenbaugh Natatorum with Council approval of the $596,070 expense funding by the Community Development Corporation.The current water slide is over 20 years and one of the oldest water slides in DFW. The new slide will provide an interactive sensory experience with a 16-foot-tall starting tower, LED lights and sounds throughout. It will be constructed out of materials better suited for indoor aquatic use.Public RecognitionsDuring the December 13 meeting, Mayor Fulk presented a Blue Star Flag to the Westfall family, whose son Andrew serves as an Army lieutenant.  The Blue Star flag honors the sacrifice and service of those who serve, along with the hardships faced by their family members.Pictured: members of the Westfall family receive a Blue Star FlagMembers of the Allen Library Endowment Fund Board accepted a check from the 2022 State of Allen event proceeds for $9,443.42. The event, held on November 2, also raised funds for the Allen Fairview Chamber of Commerce. Watch a recording of this year’s event.Pictured: members of the Allen Library Endowment Fund receive a check from Mayor FulkSeveral people were recognized by the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling for their environmental efforts. Awards were presented by Education Specialist Andrea Smith and Community Waste Disposal (CWD) representative Robert Medigovich.Allen ISD - Gifted and Talented Program for "Excellence in Environmental Awareness Education"Mayor Ken Fulk for Honorable Mention for "All Star Elected Official"Donna Kliewer for "Lifetime Recycling Achievement"Pictured: members of Allen ISD's Gifted and Talented Program accept their environmental awardsThe City of Allen’s Information Technology Department was recognized for recent national technology awards: The Center for Digital Government Future Ready City and third place (in population category) as a Digital City.In addition, Chief Information Officer Eric Matthews was named a winner of Info-Tech’s 2022 CIO Annual Award. This award honors top IT leaders who have utilized technology solutions to create exceptional value for their organizations.Pictured: members of the City of Allen Information Technology Department are recognized for their recent awardsFollow council news and future meetingsAllen City Council meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. Meetings are held in Council Chambers at Allen City Hall (305 Century Parkway). A calendar of upcoming meetings is available on the City website.To receive a link to upcoming meetings by email, visit CityofAllen.org/NotifyMe and sign up for City Meeting Notices. Meeting agendas are posted at least 72 hours prior to each meeting. Agenda links are provided within the meeting details of each calendar listing and at CityofAllen.org/Agendas.

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