Residents in Allen’s Greengate neighborhood can expect to see sidewalk improvements later this year.
Allen City Council unanimously approved a $2.15 million construction contract with Fort Worth-based Cole Construction for neighborhood infrastructure improvements at an April 14 meeting.
A closer look
The project includes replacing 109 ramps, 50 alley approaches and 63% of the sidewalk panels within the Greengate neighborhood and surrounding portions of Allen Heights Drive, Director of Engineering Chris Flanigan said.
The neighborhood was built in the ’80s and contains many broken sidewalk panels and areas that are no longer compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, per city documents.
“There are various means at our disposal to combat decline within different neighborhoods of our community and help bridge that disparity in current standards of today versus those that may have been in place back when they were originally constructed,” Flanigan said.
The project will impact street parking, but the project manager will communicate with residents ahead of time, Flanigan said.
The cost
Cole Construction had the lowest price bid at $1.96 million with a 10% contingency, making the total price $2.15 million, city documents state. Cole Construction also tied for the lowest calendar bid, meaning the shortest project length, out of the top five companies.
Funding for the project comes from the city’s 2023 voter-approved bond, which included funds for neighborhood infrastructure enhancements, according to city documents.
What they’re saying“It’s good to see these dollars going into some of our aging neighborhoods,” council member Michael Schaeffer said.“The part that really resonates with me is you’re listening to the citizens,” Mayor Baine Brooks said to Flanigan. “You’re engaging with the citizens. You’re letting them know with signs and different things that projects are going to happen. But even before then, you’re listening to them and finding out what their needs are.”What’s next
Construction is expected to begin in May and wrap up in November, Flanigan said.