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Downtown alleyway work near completion; contractor repaired private damage at own expense
Summary
City staff reported progress on the Downtown Alley renovation project, said most work is minor punch list items and confirmed a contractor repaired a downtown business’ parking lot at the contractor’s cost.
City staff updated the Conroe City Council on Feb. 12 on the downtown alleyway renovation project and outlined remaining punch-list work, paving schedules and coordination with utilities.
Why it matters: The downtown alleys have been a focus for pedestrian improvements and utilities work; finishing the project affects downtown businesses, access for deliveries and long-term maintenance needs.
Mr. McGuire (city staff) described three alley segments. Alley 1 (the north–south alley west of Pacific and east of Main, running from Metcalfe up past the church) still requires additional work because utility poles were flush-cut and must be addressed for upcoming paving. Alley 2 is largely complete but has a small punch list for damaged street light poles. Alley 3 is in active utility removal and is scheduled for asphalt paving on Feb. 17, McGuire said. He characterized most remaining items as minor punch-list work and said staff expects to wrap up the project soon.
Local attorney and downtown business owner Eric Yalick told council earlier in the meeting that a contractor had used his parking lot as a staging area and had severely damaged curbstops and cut a gas line; he said he had received little response under the prior administration. McGuire told council the contractor repaired the damage “on his nickel,” confirming that the $7 million downtown project budget was not used to fix the privately owned parking lot.
Council members raised the related operational question of how downtown trash and deliveries should be handled once alleys are renovated for pedestrian uses. Staff said the city has discussed temporarily using polycarts in alleys while it develops a longer-term trash-handling plan for the downtown area and that they will resume discussions with potential providers and consultants to find an alternative consistent with the downtown improvements.
What’s next: Alley paving and utility work will continue per schedule; staff will revisit downtown trash pickup options and report back to council with proposed alternatives to ensure the alley renovation’s benefits are preserved.
Ending: Council thanked staff for the update. No final policy vote was recorded at the workshop; staff will continue punch-list work and return with operational options for downtown trash and access.
