DeSoto staff outline major street projects, estimates and funding gaps; county aid and proposed bond sale cited

City staff presented an overview April 10 of multiple capital street projects in DeSoto, giving cost estimates, design status and likely timelines while warning of funding shortfalls for several projects.

MD Hoshan, the city engineer, described the largest projects: a Daniel Day Road widening (to four lanes, with a median, landscaping and a permanent signal at Bolton Bone Drive) with an estimated cost of $21,000,000 and design about 90% complete; a Pleasant Run Road widening (Cocktail Hill Road to Westmoreland Road) estimated at $22,000,000 and described as ready for bid with Dallas County committed to $1,000,000; and a Westmoreland Road widening (East Beltline Road to Parkerville Road) estimated at $20,000,000 with a $3,000,000 county contribution and design ready for construction pending gap funding.

Hoshan said right‑of‑way acquisition is ongoing on some projects and that several project designs are awaiting grant decisions that could add shared‑use trails (11‑foot concrete paths) in place of the baseline 6‑foot sidewalks. On Hampton Road, staff described an aspirational corridor redevelopment with a conceptual cost of about $48,000,000; Hoshan said design work is temporarily suspended pending further council direction and that the project is expected to be implemented over multiple phases and years.

On funding, Hoshan explained the city’s estimate and the current shortfall: “We need $17,000,000 from city fund. As of now, we actually don't have that total $17,000,000. We just have, basically around 8,000,000. So that means we have a shortfall of $9,000,000,” he said. City Manager Majid Algaffrey said the city has applied for regional grants through the North Central Texas Council of Governments and will seek county help, but “we may have options to either phase projects, start construction, and phase those projects accordingly, or basically, say we are gonna defer some improvements,” and that council approval would be required for proposed bond financing.

Project timing highlights staff gave: - Daniel Day Road: design 90% complete; three remaining right‑of‑way parcels; construction targeted early 2026. - Pleasant Run Road: design ready for bid; construction timing depends on funding and utility relocations. - Westmoreland Road: design complete; right‑of‑way secured; construction could start as soon as the summer if gap funding is secured (staff projected July/August funding availability and potential construction start the following February). - Hampton Road corridor: 15% design completed then suspended pending policy/zoning guidance; staff described this as a 20‑ to 25‑year phased vision. - Alley pavement reconstruction: eight alleys bid and awarded; virtual public meeting scheduled April 16; contractor planned to start April 22 with each alley taking about three weeks and all alleys expected to finish within five to six months. - Bridge replacement: TxDOT design for the bridge over Ten Mile Creek at East Pleasant Run Road is expected to finish May with construction planned to start in February (one‑year construction duration) and traffic reduced to one lane in each direction in phases.

Residents raised shorter‑term maintenance issues during the meeting: Mayor Proctor and staff advised that potholes and localized pavement defects should be reported through the city’s GoMyDeSoto app or by calling the Action Center at (972) 230‑9600. Becky Lewis, executive assistant to the city manager, said reports go directly to the streets department for assessment.

Why it matters: The projects together would change travel capacity, sidewalks and multimodal connections across much of DeSoto, and funding decisions will determine whether projects proceed as planned, are phased or deferred.

Next steps and follow‑ups: Staff said they will continue grant applications, pursue county contributions and present financing options — including a proposed bond sale — to council in the summer budget cycle. For immediate maintenance complaints, staff asked residents to file service requests by app or phone.

Ending — Public input: Staff posted maps and printouts on the information table and directed residents to the engineering page on the city website for project maps and updates.