Overdue book policy, Ford Park upgrades: Check out 5 Allen updates you may have missed

Check out five recent updates from Allen City Council, including new library policies, playground renovations and more.

1. Overdue book policy, facility rental fees to be updated at Allen Public Library

Allen Public Library patrons will no longer pay late fees for overdue books.

Allen City Council approved the removal of fines for overdue library materials at a Feb. 10 meeting. Council also approved adjusted rates for renting Allen Public Library facilities. The new policy for late materials is an account freeze, meaning patrons cannot check out new items until overdue items are returned, Library Director Jeff Timbs said.

2. Ford Park in Allen to get new playground following $750K grant

Allen’s Ford Park renovation project will now include an additional playground.

Texas Parks and Wildlife awarded a $750,000 grant to the Allen Parks and Recreation Department, according to a Jan. 30 news release. The city plans to use this money to add a playground to the north section of Ford Park, Director of Parks and Recreation Kate Meacham said.

3. Officials greenlight $1.6M contract amendment for Allen Police HQ

Progress is moving forward on the construction of the Allen Police Department’s new headquarters building.

Allen City Council unanimously approved a $1.6 million amendment to its contract with Core Construction Services for the new Allen Police Department Headquarters at a Feb. 10 meeting. The amendment will not change the overall cost of the $97.1 million project, Director of Engineering Chris Flanigan said.

4. Allen to spend nearly $1M on new playgrounds, shade structures

Two Allen parks are slated to receive upgrades after Allen City Council approved spending nearly $1M at a Jan. 28 meeting. Both Quail Run Park and Bradford Crossing Park will get new playgrounds and shade structures.

5. Public sleeping banned in Allen following new city ordinance

People experiencing homelessness are now prohibited from sleeping on sidewalks or inside of a parked car within the city of Allen.

Allen City Council passed an ordinance at a December council meeting after hearing a presentation from Police Chief Steve Dye. In his Dec. 9 presentation to council, Dye said the city already has an ordinance limiting camping in parks; however, the city has seen an increase in unsheltered people sleeping on sidewalks and breezeways in front of businesses. The ordinance prohibits sleeping in any outdoor area accessible to the public.