Farmers Branch says City Council approved Branch Connection renovation; programs to shift to alternate sites starting Jan. 2

Staff at a Farmers Branch meeting said City Council approved the Branch Connection renovation project at City Hall on Tuesday, and staff expect construction to begin tentatively in mid-February.

Staff member (Speaker 3) told the group the council’s approval clears a key step for the renovation and that "I'm hoping by mid February, we'll officially start." She said the department plans to activate alternative program locations beginning Jan. 2 so areas can be cleared for contractors.

The approval at City Hall was described in the meeting as a formal City Council action; the committee’s transcript did not include the council’s motion text, vote tally, or mover/second. The meeting noted a construction group was selected in a bid process and that staff are meeting with that contractor to seek a "fast turnaround." The staff update emphasized communications to members: a newsletter listing alternative locations and program descriptions, posts to the Branch Connection website, Facebook, and the Farmers Branch YouTube channel, and easels in the lobby that will display floor plans and renderings shown to council.

Staff gave details about which parts of the facility will not be affected immediately by the renovation: the front entrance, the ballroom, the kitchen and a rear storage area (described in the meeting as "the back far right where the storage room is at and where they played Wii"). Staff said those areas are being considered for later work depending on budget.

Staff also reviewed regular programming and one-time December events that will be moved or rerouted during construction, including a holiday luncheon and recurring classes (yoga, tai chi, dance lessons, book club, photo club, trivia and more). Speaker 3 listed planned alternative program sites and said staff will ‘‘blast’’ communications once hard start dates are known and will follow up at the holiday luncheon to reach members.

A meeting participant (Speaker 2) raised safety concerns about attendees walking to cars after dances and asked whether police or Citizens on Patrol could attend events; Speaker 2 said some women were "worried that somebody will take advantage of me" when walking to their cars. Staff said they will follow up with Don Smith and others to explore options but did not make a formal directive or vote during the meeting.

The committee discussed scheduling changes for its 2024 calendar and meeting locations: the first meeting of the year was listed as Jan. 11, with subsequent dates provided through December. Staff said the January meeting will likely be held at the recreation center if the Branch Connection is closed for renovation and the meeting packet will reflect any official location changes.

Because the transcript is an internal program update rather than a formal ordinance or resolution from this committee, the only formal action referenced in the meeting transcript was the City Council approval of the Branch Connection renovation. The committee discussion produced operational directions (prepare newsletters and alternative locations, meet with the selected contractor, and follow up on public-safety staffing at events) but recorded no committee vote on the renovation itself.

The committee urged staff to keep members informed about timing, locations and the renderings that were presented to council; staff said those renderings are available on FBTV and the city’s online channels.