Dallas approves intergovernmental agreement with school district to improve ADA ramps, pave Holman

The Dallas City Council on Feb. 18 unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Dallas School District to upgrade Americans with Disabilities Act ramps near Dallas High School and to resurface sections of Southeast Holman and Ash streets.

The agreement gives the city contract authority while the school district will pay invoices for improvements that front district property. The city will pay for the portions of the project that are its responsibility, and change orders for each party’s work must be approved by that party, according to staff.

Michael Pierce, a staff member who presented the item, said the partnership ties the ramp upgrades to the city’s Phase 5 paving project (Holman and Howe streets). Pierce said the district will handle concrete work fronting the school and the city will handle paving on the north side of Ash Street. Pierce also told council that the district is still reviewing a draft of the intergovernmental agreement and that any substantive changes would be brought back to council.

Councilors asked for clarifications about how costs are separated. Pierce said line items on project invoices will separate school work from city work; the council will not allocate the total project cost on a single percentage split. He also said the project is scheduled to start June 16 and run into August, and contractors are restricted from starting work around school areas until school is released. Pierce indicated the project team does not anticipate delays.

The council approved the motion "to approve the intergovernment agreement as presented." The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

The improvements are intended to provide safer passage to the school and to coordinate sidewalk/ramps work with planned pavement repairs on nearby streets.