Council awards Westside Art Trail Phase 1 construction contract and OKs design oversight agreement

The Farmers Branch City Council on Wednesday authorized construction and professional services agreements to advance Phase 1 of the Westside Art Trail, a multi-year project to connect the city to Irving's Campion Trail and provide pedestrian and bicycle connectivity under I-35.

The council approved Resolution 2025-176 authorizing the city manager to execute a $5,494,832 contract with RevCon LLC for construction of Westside Art Trail Phase 1. Maria Minter, managing superintendent of public works, told council RevCon was the lowest qualified bidder, and that the city had received two bids; the engineer's opinion of probable cost and the low bid were both just under $5.5 million.

Minter and staff outlined the project's funding: TxDOT federal funds would cover about $4.5 million (roughly 80 percent) of the construction cost; the remaining construction shortfall of approximately $950,000 will be covered by a Dallas County match grant (County shares about $475,000 and the city expects to provide the other half, about $474,553.50, from the current CIP budget). Minter said the city's 20 percent match portion would be covered using transportation development credits for the non-cash 20 percent match on the federal portion, and the cash contribution for the Dallas County match is already budgeted in the CIP.

Council also approved Resolution 2025-177, a professional services agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates for construction-phase support not to exceed $225,000. Minter said the hourly, partially reimbursable contract will provide construction administration, shop-drawing review, site visits and other services to ensure compliance with TxDOT reimbursement requirements. Dallas County reviewed the agreement and indicated it may reimburse up to $65,500 of the Kimley-Horn fee.

Council members asked for clarification about the city's out-of-pocket costs and where funds would be drawn. Minter confirmed that the city's cash share for the Dallas County match (about $474,553.50) and any Kimley-Horn portion not reimbursed would come from the current CIP budget; she said staff had already spent $22,729 on prior project-related costs. Council members praised the multi-agency grant work and encouraged moving ahead with construction.

Both resolutions passed after a motion and second; the transcript records the passage but does not include a numerical roll-call tally.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 2025-176 — Authorize RevCon LLC contract for Westside Art Trail Phase 1 ($5,494,832) — Outcome: approved (vote recorded as passed; tally not specified). Resolution 2025-177 — Authorize Kimley-Horn professional services agreement (not to exceed $225,000) — Outcome: approved (vote recorded as passed; tally not specified).