[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6576685,"mediaKeyId","3074659-cd75a19f782d5e770d0360acc8d9222a","parentId",3074659,"title","Rockwall study outlines $140M in potential city facility projects, urges staged approach","audioSeconds",2552,"startMs",1833000,"endMs",4385000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074659-cd75a19f782d5e770d0360acc8d9222a&start=1833&end=4385","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074659-cd75a19f782d5e770d0360acc8d9222a/thumbnail_1833000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6576685/Rockwall-City/Rockwall-County/Texas/Rockwall-study-outlines-140M-in-potential-city-facility-projects-urges-staged-approach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576685-8601503cc3398d681685bb0bb5698a82/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140649&Signature=XOgsAQxtTP2ab5IyscVOMDUwZhhw9zFfsRBMMHnO1Q4ORuh79~DjT9JK7DyoOUJmHbjCLv-JSf7Xt2yIwFogqg5~kUW6hl6RCQoEGT4V0eble9E0lX9B4M9NOLtyTvFvhbMnzUZtzaH6SZv7mo4h9cn4Nv6c~S2NO5-HMmWKFc0AnUoCDXYpq3EQ4UnewXElMVbBMEemoh39UZAZmKNNv9fuHMG3jxMOUBOGzAZ6jVrqtqOmWnVXFBoky3UGg7A8oKsHaF6PUJDdiW-tW62Il~AyPHZgnF2e-GHLYb0S4VwEdqiibb8meoUuOzJTO0DrQ~l29qsHnrwHat~56vplVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rockwall","date","2025-04-21T00:00:00Z","article","Park Hill, an architectural and planning consultant, presented a city facilities planning study to the Rockwall City Council on April 21 that lays out options to meet projected staffing and service needs over the next 10–20 years, including five major projects with conceptual designs and order‑of‑magnitude costs.

The study, led by Michael Howard of Park Hill, recommends renovating and adding to City Hall, replacing Fire Station 1, relocating and modernizing the Service Center campus, building a consolidated two‑story public safety facility to house police, fire administration and an emergency operations center (EOC), and constructing a four‑level, roughly 400‑space downtown parking structure. Howard said the package of five projects would total in the neighborhood of $140 million under the study’s assumptions.

Howard said Park Hill’s work began with department‑by‑department staffing projections and a room‑by‑room “space program” that converts expected staff growth into square‑foot requirements. The firm measured gross square footage today and projected a need to expand from roughly 78,000 square feet used by the studied departments to about 133,000 square feet to meet 20‑year projections.

The consultant presented conceptual designs and cost ranges for each project and explained which items would require land acquisition or significant site work. Park Hill’s high‑level cost estimates in the presentation were:
- City Hall renovation plus an addition: about $15,000,000 (rough‑order magnitude; roughly $900,000 additional if the council chambers is reconfigured).
- Fire Station 1 replacement (new ~13,520 sq ft station; land excluded): about $11,300,000.
- Service Center campus replacement (administration building, shop bays, covered fleet parking, site work): about $22,200,000 (includes substantial site development because of paving and fleet needs).
- New consolidated public safety building (approx. 72,000 sq ft across main building and annexes, EOC, dispatch, evidence and special operations storage): about $72,700,000 (includes higher soft‑cost allowance for communications and radio relocation).
- Downtown parking garage (400 spaces; four levels, some land acquisition assumed): roughly $22,000,000.

\"You're looking at about a hundred and 40,000,000 of total projects across these 5, proposed projects,\" Howard told the council during the presentation.

Council members and staff asked questions about site options, how projects would be phased, and the degree to which projects depend on future land acquisitions. Howard said the public safety facility and the relocated service center would likely require new land acquisitions; the City Hall option assumes renovating and adding on the existing site. He also noted that some proposed sites shown in the presentation were not city‑owned and would require negotiation or purchase.

City staff emphasized this work is not a bond proposal; it is an initial planning step to give council cost estimates and options. Councilmembers and the mayor discussed next steps, including committee review and further vetting of priority, phasing and funding mechanisms.

The consultant also recommended additional detailed design, geotechnical and communications work before the city would commit to any specific projects or budgets.

The council did not take a final action on funding or projects at the meeting; members directed staff to continue work with Park Hill and to return with follow‑up materials for committee review.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rockwall - City Council - Apr 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Park Hill presented a facilities planning study to Rockwall City Council on April 21 that identifies five major projects — a City Hall renovation/addition, a Fire Station 1 replacement, a new Service Center campus, a consolidated public safety facility and a four‑level downtown parking garage — with combined preliminary cost estimates of roughly $140 million.","taxTitle","Rockwall City, Rockwall County, Texas","taxId",54915,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576665,"Neighbor group asks Rockwall council for safety improvements along Ridge Road West",121,3265000,3386000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074659-cd75a19f782d5e770d0360acc8d9222a&start=3265&end=3386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074659-cd75a19f782d5e770d0360acc8d9222a/thumbnail_3265000.jpg","/articles/6576665/Rockwall-City/Rockwall-County/Texas/Neighbor-group-asks-Rockwall-council-for-safety-improvements-along-Ridge-Road-West","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576665-9b52e0108991db9371511482036a3b3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140649&Signature=NCArv5R87N7aRAlQf1BzHMi~NxyPt-1EDmFpGi1Awgvt1lifg-Etztr8~ub6L6o7BLdueySOWn2WCBzGnkLt25ePmUBqZ-2PwC7FOoI5004jUiwuHLJBqOMkUIBalwi01GNo3Nav9mUk-mXY1C9lmNRgMf4QqlAPlZVY00XGVc5K~A-zfWn0HeSuPa8kkbX7RbaxofmgxCBJdC5FTbpNnPmD7Nh9CmkcFqkM-RNRsLZLvZpDIqV5yYRsDsJ~ZT8-tOOiaYV0nFM9~3VBGZYAN3MOylQdsd~NBeibF2qii2yo3kDe3NOV6JfRsiHJ6UeX5mXMMpPXm3z93rtHKuSESA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the open forum portion of the April 21 Rockwall City Council meeting, resident Carrie Moore of Ridgecrest Place asked the council to consider safety improvements along Ridge Road West.

Moore said neighbors have collected signatures asking for traffic‑calming measures and improvements because the street receives significant pedestrian activity including children walking to school, strollers and cyclists. She outlined several requests: restoring or installing marked pedestrian crosswalks at high‑use locations, installing additional “Children at Play” signage, and reducing the posted speed limit by 5–10 mph to improve safety and driver awareness. Moore also suggested rumble strips as a tested, relatively low‑cost measure to slow vehicles.

Councilmember Cedric Thomas (addressing the resident on the dais) and staff indicated they would explain the city’s process for evaluating traffic signs and speed‑limit changes and discuss options with the resident and engineering staff. No formal council action was taken during the meeting; the matter was referred for staff review and potential traffic engineering analysis.

","A Ridge Road West resident urged the council during open forum to add crosswalks, signage and a lower speed limit for a stretch of the neighborhood street used by children, joggers and strollers; she also suggested rumble strips as a low‑cost traffic calming option.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576670,"Council narrows REDC variance: allows EDC parcels to keep overhead lines but removes private properties from exemption",1688,4856000,6544000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074659-cd75a19f782d5e770d0360acc8d9222a&start=4856&end=6544","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074659-cd75a19f782d5e770d0360acc8d9222a/thumbnail_4856000.jpg","/articles/6576670/Rockwall-City/Rockwall-County/Texas/Council-narrows-REDC-variance-allows-EDC-parcels-to-keep-overhead-lines-but-removes-private-properties-from-exemption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576670-b350a1629b72bf8858c4c6d3e178da9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140649&Signature=cZVT7trVNxQ-uaRtqgS6v2j88wLpnRn5Dg9lsjZOa55snq6fohrLF68EfGMPkI4UMgAPoN58H~NKukksOtweIpxV7T6GUgj7oN~HfDKqj8777mEZgGI6ic3cyNjU-eOVXSgl6f-5FjN8gyE-UnzCMjQnNYqJTQZAo~lnAiyZJU0T8wllHkXniT9JJXLRV8AIWFcfxeLstv5QgsPQ-az6ddDgTMOfVr1~mDZ8FG5kJ8RgMcQEfrS-TFK5TZsUxqJ~dde1N7HsK8aug7bRwYK1YBuwgr4nWVYJTyKpWu0zDZQPYfWCxyxwwRfv-PSFnWKHVDVWb0rhv8vP4fmXRND97Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockwall City Council on April 21 approved a modified variance request related to utility placement along Corporate Crossing and State Highway 276. The REDC (Rockwall Economic Development Corporation) had asked the council to allow overhead power lines in the corridor to remain in place in perpetuity; the Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended denial.

Staff said the REDC’s February request cited a roughly $9,000,000 estimated project cost for burying the corridor’s power lines (with about $500,000 already expended on design). The request argued that allocating a large amount of public‑sector funding to burying lines would reduce resources available for broader economic development initiatives.

At the meeting, the council debated whether a corridor‑wide, perpetual exemption would in effect allow private properties to avoid the city’s undergrounding requirements. Councilmembers agreed to a narrower approach: they approved a motion to grant a permanent variance for EDC‑owned parcels in the technology park area but to remove privately owned parcels from the exemption. Under the approved motion, EDC‑owned property along the corridor will not be required to underground existing lines; private landowners in the corridor will remain subject to the city’s standard requirements and may need to underground lines at redevelopment or seek their own variances.

Planning staff had noted the variance mechanism in the Unified Development Code and Municipal Code of Ordinances and said the Planning & Zoning Commission (on Feb. 25) recommended denial of a blanket, perpetual exemption. The council’s modified approval preserves the EDC’s ability to market and develop its parcels without committing public funds to underground private corridors while leaving private property owners subject to existing development standards.

The council’s motion to modify the variance and restrict the exemption to EDC‑owned parcels passed unanimously.

","Rockwall City Council approved a modified variance that permits existing overhead lines to remain on Rockwall Economic Development Corporation (REDC/EDC)‑owned parcels but removes private properties from the blanket exemption; the original REDC request sought to allow the corridor’s overhead power lines to remain in perpetuity.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576675,"Rockwall council directs staff to finalize solid‑waste contract after 4–3 vote",3313,3507000,6820000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074659-cd75a19f782d5e770d0360acc8d9222a&start=3507&end=6820","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074659-cd75a19f782d5e770d0360acc8d9222a/thumbnail_3507000.jpg","/articles/6576675/Rockwall-City/Rockwall-County/Texas/Rockwall-council-directs-staff-to-finalize-solidwaste-contract-after-43-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576675-ccffb93ff19a50dbf13091d899302005/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140649&Signature=YTP8jQpAFDc4xwKcydmyqJ3DJ-icBq1zhMTdJYmVTUkRk6YgkmAFXe8d03iSRQUoTzkxdX-5PjwHsQUHm9EpP-~Ji09pMkjY8Mmgbf7XRmemGXIaYhdeDMUxNBQdW-zRD941DAqFGDAM7jwCArJfBunTGZk1q1mEoiE9CrMY3aBtgOEDBdE0~ffXXcWvHsj-3K4-lTDXpNVR3XLmjGGcG8E6DynSibS4MupAXunnOzgt9NtC2NTVI66VpatpjQwbVH~FmMT1cXXQfIuxxGfhb27vJFvC~itkQRDiZCS~CS5KNgs1fiUeO2YHr-rVFbsnZeJMOmhvmdTmdxvscHpIlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockwall City Council voted 4–3 on April 21 to direct city staff to finalize and execute the proposed solid‑waste contract as presented by staff and the city’s current provider.

Staff provided a market survey and volume data for the council’s review and said the city’s existing service and pricing have diverged from market norms as agencies across the region have moved toward once‑weekly residential pickup. The contract under discussion would set a once‑weekly collection rate for single‑family homes at $25 per month (January 1 rate in the consultant materials) with a pricing escalation clause; staff used a contract estimate of roughly $7.0 million per year in fiscal modeling and said a 3% escalation would aggregate to roughly $53 million across the contract term for planning purposes.

Council debate centered on three themes: whether to solicit competitive bids versus negotiating a best‑and‑final with the current contractor; the fairness and operational impacts of moving from twice‑weekly to once‑weekly pickup for some customers; and new limits on bundled or bulk collection. Several councilmembers and residents said they valued twice‑weekly pickup and objected to a large price increase coupled with reduced frequency. Others noted most peer cities have moved to once‑weekly pickup and that bulk and extra‑cart policies drive much of the cost volatility.

Republic Services (the incumbent provider) participated in the discussion, noting local traffic conditions, landfill distances and off‑route time factor into their price proposal. Republic’s representative explained the company’s proposal and the company’s charitable and community‑support efforts to the council.

After discussion, the council passed a motion directing staff to execute the contract as presented (motion text: \"Direct staff to execute contract as presented\"). The record shows the motion carried 4 in favor, 3 opposed.

Council members who opposed the motion argued the city should seek competitive bids for a multi‑million‑dollar contract and were concerned about limits on bulk pickup and the potential for increased out‑of‑pocket costs for residents. Supporters said staff and the provider had negotiated adjustments to the proposal and that continuing service with the incumbent minimized operational disruption and capital rollout (new carts and trucks).

The council did not approve a separate ordinance at the meeting; staff will return with the executed agreement and any implementation materials for public communication and operational rollout.

","After reviewing market survey data and contract details, the Rockwall City Council voted 4–3 to direct staff to execute the proposed solid‑waste contract with the city’s provider as presented; council debate centered on once‑weekly service vs. twice‑weekly expectations, bulk‑pickup limits and pricing.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576680,"Rockwall planning staff summarizes 2025 existing‑conditions report ahead of Comprehensive Plan review",1382,104000,1486000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074659-cd75a19f782d5e770d0360acc8d9222a&start=104&end=1486","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074659-cd75a19f782d5e770d0360acc8d9222a/thumbnail_104000.jpg","/articles/6576680/Rockwall-City/Rockwall-County/Texas/Rockwall-planning-staff-summarizes-2025-existingconditions-report-ahead-of-Comprehensive-Plan-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576680-8782323b0fe61f70ce3a1e9780622731/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140649&Signature=bu0bUUaaBjrARZAN6q2JOvo5KV0mnmf9HlyhXkhgNjDcGOdtgEfAEt5tWwNSP-8mJA5ZVnVM6Jp1XgzED3hFhsjtaD1XsjD8BGQ02Osr9FZc2s65iCMUWuUJrVLYeFwHQ~uFH6sgGPJ-o74oyizUr3sEk5968SP6yvjsJUMMuB-51tlDc1jGcSkQDVHt~Q-9YRHhpMtpJmXFDLtrlf47JdR8kOXD3kAaODHaI17A6f5dOxD9OPISHccn4ha60CyAArxdTT0oNaCdqZ97jBs~fe4pJBuZfx1qUKC1UjM38Al~tJiTaEIJyahAg3MV4dDHmbJoo4Mqu8LKpzqkBQR5Kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ryan Miller, Rockwall’s Planning Director, briefed council on the city’s 2025 Existing Conditions report on April 21, calling it the first step in the Comprehensive Plan update and “a snapshot of where we are as of April 2025.”

Miller said the report compiles demographic, land use, infrastructure and development trends for the city. Key points Miller cited in the presentation included:
- Population and demographics: \"As of 2024, the city of Rockwall is home to 52,882 residents, which accounts for about 40% of Rockwall County's population.\" He noted racial and ethnic diversity had increased, with non‑white residents representing about 34% of the city’s population in 2024.
- Income and purchasing power: median household income cited in the presentation was about $127,540; staff noted median income growth and cost‑of‑living changes influence local purchasing power rankings.
- Housing and development: the city was reported to have about 23,000 housing units in 2025, with single‑family dwellings comprising roughly 78% and multifamily about 17% of units. Miller said much multifamily growth since 2017 has been concentrated in the Harbor District.
- Infrastructure: staff summarized water, wastewater and stormwater system inventories and ages, and said the city maintains most of those systems. The report notes nearly all streets within the city limits are concrete and that the City owns and maintains an estimated 254.52 linear miles of streets.
- Travel and transit: STAR Transit provided about 12,483 trips in fiscal year 2024, with about 80% of those trips serving elderly and disabled riders; Rockwall accounted for about two‑thirds of STAR trips.

Miller walked council through land‑use and build‑out scenarios and said recent state laws that change annexation rules and allow ETJ disincorporation have reduced the amount of land available for municipal planning. He noted the report includes several build‑out scenarios that, depending on ETJ outcomes and infrastructure assumptions, project long‑term populations ranging across a wide band; Miller repeatedly cautioned the scenarios are sensitive to assumptions about ETJ, sewer availability and future annexation authority.

Councilmembers asked questions about aging demographics, infrastructure capacity east of Rocha Road, and how agricultural or septic‑served areas could influence lot sizes and future density. Miller and staff said the report’s executive summary and detailed data tables will guide engagement with advisory committees and boards during the Comprehensive Plan update.

No formal action was taken; staff will use the report as a basis for the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee and additional public engagement.

","Planning director Ryan Miller presented a 2025 existing‑conditions report that staff will use as the foundation for the Comprehensive Plan review; he highlighted population, demographics, housing and infrastructure trends and noted changes in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction that affect build‑out estimates.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rockwall study outlines $140M in potential city facility projects, urges staged approach

Neighbor group asks Rockwall council for safety improvements along Ridge Road West

Council narrows REDC variance: allows EDC parcels to keep overhead lines but removes private properties from exemption

Rockwall council directs staff to finalize solid‑waste contract after 4–3 vote

Rockwall planning staff summarizes 2025 existing‑conditions report ahead of Comprehensive Plan review