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APRIL 22, 2011 SERVING COPPELL, VALLEY RANCH AND HACKBERRY
Bidding to Soon Begin on Old
Town Roads, Infrastructure
By Jean Murph tract). Once complete, the roads in 45 to 60 days.
will follow the design suggested The Farmers Market will be
Work on the core section of in the Old Coppell Master Plan, moved temporarily to the south-
old downtown Coppell roads and with curbs, sidewalks, some on- west corner of S. Coppell and
infrastructure is now moving to street parking, streetlights, cross- Burns Road in old town, before
the front burner, with bidding to walks, landscaping and other moving to its permanent location
begin by fall and work to begin amenities. in the new development.
in late fall or by January 2012, Work will be done in two When that one -block section
according to City Engineer Ken phases, the first involving dos- of work is completed, this sec -
Griffin. At the heart of the ing vehicle traffic in one central tion of W. Bethel will be totally
project is old town Coppell and block of W. Bethel between the complete, with curbs and gutters,
the new old town development, two intersections in order to do some on -street parking, and side -
recently given the go -ahead by major storm drainage work for walks. New street lighting will
the Council. the whole project. The intersec- be added once all road recon-
Primary work on the first Lions will remain open during this struction in the area is com-
part of road reconstruction will time for traffic that will be re- pleted.
be W. Bethel Road between the routed to the south, along Burns "It didn't make sense to tear
two intersections — Mitchell Road, and north along S. Coppell (that section) all to pieces (for
Street/S. Coppell Road and S. Road. Parking for old town busi- drainage work)" and then do it
Coppell Road /W. Bethel — nesses will be in the parking lot again for road work, said Grif-
along with infrastructure and that now serves the Deli and fin. "Let's get what we need
road into the new development Farmers Market. Griffin plans
(the former Carter - Crowley that this phase will be completed see OLD TOWN on page 2
I HIGHLIGHTS I health, education and a long list of other pro-
grams. Both bodies must agree on a final,
OLD TOWN Griffin said that while he allows the road
contractor leeway in what to do first and sec -
from page 1 ond, he will specify that "at all times, traffic
flow must be maintained in old downtown,"
(drainage) and then rebuild." After that sec- particularly considering that people must get
tion is complete, one lane of one -way traffic to their homes.
will always be left open on W. Bethel for Utility lines will be buried as part of the
through traffic during other reconstruction. reconstruction, as approved by the City Coun-
At the same time, City work on the infra- - cil, said Griffin.
structure of the old town development (former Still to be completed in a later phase of
Carter- Crowley tract) will be underway, in- road work is W. Bethel, east of Mitchell, and
eluding dirt work, drainage, water, sewer, and S. Coppell, north of Bethel
storm drainage. A key component to the project is speed,
A roped -off "safe zone" near the parking said Griffin, who plans to "incentivize it" with
lot will allow businesses and customers to bonus dollars for early completion and pen -
safely cross W. Bethel, said City Engineer Ken allies for delays.
Griffin. "Throw a bonus on it — extra dollars if
' Once this phase is complete, work will you do this in an amount of time," said Grif-
then begin on the intersections themselves, fin. "Let's hit it running and get it done."
and W. Bethel to Freeport, with one lane open
for one -way through traffic. One -way traffic Griffin plans to meet with parties directly •
will reopen on W. Bethel, probably traveling affected by road closures and communicate
west to Freeport, according to Griffin. Traffic with the public through newspapers, the wa-
traveling east on W. Bethel will be rerouted at ter bill, and the City website. He said he
Freeport to Burns along a southern route, and would welcome input before-the bidding be-
to access old town businesses. Traffic can gins and that he "needs help" on signage
also proceed north and south on S. Coppell suggestions to ensure that routes are marked
as it extends into the new development. well for motorists.
•
The Citizens' Advocate (USPS 750 -270) is published each week by Danmara, Inc., 446
W. Bethel, Coppell, TX 75019. Subscription rates are $20 per year. Second -class post-
age paid at Coppell, TX. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Citizens' Advo-
cate, P.O. Box 557, 446 W. Bethel Road, Coppell, TX 75019, 972 - 462 -8192.
Publisher: Jean Murph
Martin Aldridge Manager: Kathryn Walker Peter Sblendorio
Fred Conger John Price Daniel Matt Speanburg
McKenna Hares Jane Moore Andy Tabor
"Irma Khan Haley Moore Viviana Trevino
L ammy Robben Susan Pospisil Mary Whitfill