Finish date set for Fannin St.
The reconstruction of Fannin Street is expected to be substantially complete by August 29, according to the contractor.

The project, extending from downtown to Boydston Street, has taken longer than expected.

The Old Town paving section similar to Clark Street was included in the design, and water and wastewater facilities were upgraded and a storm water system was installed as part of the project.

The work also includes the addition of parking niches along the road, widening the “S” curve at Denison and Fannin streets and adjusting the alignment of the Washington and Fannin intersection for smoother traffic flow.

Work to start on fire stations
City council members gave the go-ahead recently for the construction of two new fire stations.

A guaranteed maximum price for construction of Fire Stations 3 and 4 was approved by the council with Speed Fab Crete.

Funding for the two facilities was approved by voters in a 2005 bond election for $4 million. Several plans were submitted for construction following the election, but all exceeded budget. Through value engineering and redesign, the plans were resubmitted with less square footage and changes in building materials. While construction costs will still potentially exceed the bond funding once all costs are finalized, the re-engineering process resulted in reducing the overall cost of the two stations.

During this process, there was also a site change made for Fire Station 4 from Hickory Ridge Park to property adjacent to Springer Elementary on south State Highway 205. Fire Station 3 previously fronted on SH-205, but it is now east of the CVS Pharmacy on Quail Run Road on the northern end of the City.

Plans for downtown area
Improvements to the City of Rockwall’s downtown area outlined in an improvements study will be one of the projects considered for the next Capital Improvement Program, city council members agreed recently. They also authorized city staff to work with developers interested in downtown private investments.

It will cost about $6 million to implement the plan, according to the Downtown Improvements Study completed by Birkhoff, Hendricks & Conway, LLP that was authorized by the City Council in 2007. Projects include paving, drainage, and sidewalk improvements; streetscape improvements such as landscaping and irrigation; and electrical improvements.

The Downtown Plan is an ambitious project that envisions retail shops, offices and residential units around a pedestrian-friendly square where people gather for regular public event such as concerts and fairs. It would continue to develop with gourmet restaurants and specialty shops to become a bustling gathering destination reflecting the quaintness and friendliness of the Rockwall community.

For more information, please call Michael Hampton at (972) 772-6441.

Shop the E-Store
Pay an on-line visit to the city’s new e-store at www.rockwall.com where you will find a large selection of shirts, hats and a travel bag emblazoned with the City of Rockwall logo.

Show your civic pride by letting everyone know that Rockwall is your hometown!

Toll Tags available at City
Residents no longer have to wait for a toll tag to come in the mail. They can sign up now for a toll tag account at Rockwall City Hall, 385 South Goliad Street on the 1st floor. The information is entered into the toll authority system, and the tag is given to the applicant that day.

Toll Tag accounts are prepay, which means sufficient funds must be maintained with the North Texas Tollway Authority to cover tolls and charges for the use of the tag. A minimum of $40 is needed to open the account.

For more information, please call
( 972) 771-7700.