ST0004-CS000912
September 12, 2000
Bob L. Minyard
Chairman of the Executive Committee
Minyard Food Stores
777 Freeport Parkway
P.O. Box 518
Coppell, Texas 75019
RE: Freeport Parkway (Bethel Road to IH 635) Project # ST00-04
Dear Mr. Minyard:
Thank you for your recent inquiry concerning the status of Freeport Parkway. As you are aware, in
November 1999 voters approved a bond program, which included the reconstruction of portions of
Freeport Parkway. The approved dollar amount for that reconstruction was $1,560,000. That dollar
amount contains various components. One major component is an attempt to realign the bridge over
Grapevine Creek. The current curve in the road north of the bridge is very abrupt and difficult to
maneuver while attempting to drive anywhere near the posted speed limit of 40 mph. The goal is to
create a smoother curve coming into the bridge section to allow for vehicles to travel at or near the
posted speed limit. The second major component of the bond election was to replace approximately
20% of Freeport Parkway's existing surface from the railroad track south to I.H. 635. The 20% was
based on a visual evaluation by our Engineering Department.
In an attempt to construct all projects approved in the bond election without raising taxes, it is necessary
to spread out the projects over a 5-6 year time period. The majority of the money for Freeport
Parkway has been allocated in Year 5 of the bond program. That places the availability of the money in
the 2004-2005 time frame. There are several items which could cause this project to be constructed
sooner. The City of Coppell has been approached by the potential developers of a large tract of land on
the north side of Bethel Road at the intersection of Bethel Road and Freeport Parkway. That developer
is also concerned about the condition of Freeport Parkway and the timeline for the availability of the
funds. The developer has proposed to incorporate the improvements to Freeport Parkway into their
planned extension of Freeport Parkway north to Ruby Road. Obviously, he is still expecting that the
City of Coppell will pay for those improvements.
Currently, City staff is measuring the deteriorated portions of Freeport Parkway to obtain an accurate
measurement of the roadway that needs to be removed and replaced. In addition to that, the Finance
Department is reviewing what impact there would be on our future tax rate if the money for Freeport
Parkway were allocated in Year 2. Year 2 is generally assumed to begin sometime around mid-2001.
For your information, generally the way the monies are being allocated is as follows:
Year 1: Money is being allocated for the design of three roadways. Those include Bethel Road
(Freeport Parkway to the west City Limits), West Sandy Lake Road (Denton Tap to S.H. 121), and
Coppell Road (Sandy Lake to Bethel Road).
Year 2: Money is being allocated for the construction of East Sandy Lake Road (MacArthur Blvd. to
the east city limits near the Elm Fork of the Trinity River).
Year 3: Money is being allocated for the design of Bethel Road (Freeport Parkway to Denton Tap
Road) and for the construction of Bethel Road (Freeport Parkway west to the west city limits).
Year 4: Money is being allocated for the construction of Coppell Road (Sandy Lake Road to Bethel
Road) and for right-of-way acquisition along West Sandy Lake Road (Denton Tap to S.H. 121).
Year 5: Money is being allocated for the construction of Bethel Road (Freeport Parkway east to S.H.
121 and for the reconstruction of portions of Freeport Parkway (railroad track south to I.H. 635).
Year 6: Money is being allocated for the construction of West Sandy Lake Road (Denton Tap to S.H.
121).
Each of the major projects have issues associated with them which could delay or change the time
schedule as previously provided. This could cause money for Freeport Parkway to be allocated quicker.
As I hope you can see it is somewhat complicated trying to spread out a 40 million dollar bond sale
over 5-6 years without having an impact on the tax rate.
Your other concern was about the maintenance of the medians. The irrigation and landscaping in the
Freeport Parkway median south of Gateway was constructed in 1994 as a Public Improvement District
(PID) project. The PID has very specific boundaries that do not extend the entire length of Freeport
Parkway. The cost for the PID improvements is assessed back to the property owners within the PID.
The median north of the railroad track is not part of the PID, but it is mowed regularly by the Leisure
Services Department. Because it is not irrigated no additional landscaping has been added.
If you should have any questions or need any additional information please feel free to contact Ken
Griffin, City Engineer at 972/304-3686 about the road, Gary Sims, Director of Leisure Services at
972/304-3565 about the median or myself.
Sincerely,
Jim Witt
City Manager