Council approves communications contract for Miracle Mile improvements

The City Council of University Park on Tuesday approved a contract with Sunwest Communications to provide dedicated public-relations and community-engagement support for the Miracle Mile Improvements project, council members said during the meeting.

Why it matters: the Miracle Mile work runs along Lovers Lane, a major east–west corridor with high traffic volumes. City staff said frequent lane closures and traffic shifts will require real-time, proactive outreach to residents, commuters and businesses to reduce disruption and support merchants during construction.

Contract details and staff rationale City staff said Sunwest has worked with the city on the Snyder Plaza Improvements project and recommended extending the partnership because University Park’s internal communications team is small and may be unable to meet the continuous outreach needs of a major corridor project. The proposed scope includes messaging, social media, community meetings, merchant outreach and materials to support business visibility during construction.

The staff presentation described two contract phases: a concurrent support phase through December at a lower monthly rate while Sunwest continued work on Snyder Plaza, followed by a dedicated Miracle Mile phase beginning in January at a higher monthly rate. Staff estimated total cost through 2026 at about $82,000, depending on the final project duration; staff recommended approval to maintain consistent communication through construction.

Council questions and coordination with other agencies Council members asked how communication is coordinated among University Park, the City of Dallas, the toll-road authority and Dallas County. Staff said University Park staff have contacts at the City of Dallas and the toll authority, receive weekly updates about closures, and that Sunwest’s existing local project experience could help coordinate messaging across agencies. Staff acknowledged some confusing signage on nearby segments of Lovers Lane and said they are in contact with neighboring agencies to resolve inconsistencies.

Vote and next steps A council member moved approval of the contract and a colleague seconded; the motion passed. Staff said they will work with Sunwest and other agencies to refine coordination and outreach to businesses along Lovers Lane as construction continues.

Ending City staff characterized the contract as a measure to reduce disruptions and help downtown merchants maintain visibility during construction; staff will continue to report progress to the council as outreach activities roll out.