Farmers Branch committee advances Westside Art Trail plan, seeks HOA and developer access for sculpture placements

Maria, the committee’s Westside Art Trail presenter, told the Farmers Branch Arts & Culture Committee that Phase 1 of the Westside Art Trail will include multiple 12-foot multiuse "VeloWeb" segments and smaller pedestrian connections and totals roughly 5.5 miles of trail and connector facilities. She said parts of the alignment are in Farmers Branch, parts are in the City of Dallas, and other stretches cross private property or HOA-owned land, which will require rights-of-entry or easement agreements before permanent art or fixtures can be installed.

The committee’s core planning question was site control: whether to place three newly acquired sculptures together at a waterfront location (near a Billingsley-owned lake parcel) or stagger them along established trail sections. Committee members said a concentrated "sculpture park" could enable bench seating, lighting and a stronger drive-by presence; proponents of a spread-out approach said separating pieces creates a longer walking experience and broader visibility.

Maria told the committee the plan’s near-term timeline: staff hopes to advertise a construction bid in August, with a 9–12 month window for construction after a contract is executed. She also said the Westside Art Trail has funding set aside in the city’s capital improvement project (CIP) fund — approximately $100,000 spread over five years — and that those funds can be used for art, benches, lighting and related fixtures. Because many candidate locations are not city-owned, Maria recommended staff pursue a right-of-entry or agreement and, if no HOA consent is provided by August, to proceed with the Billingsley pad so at least one installation can move forward.

Committee members and public-works staff discussed installation logistics: concrete pads can be poured in-house, sculptures will be anchored with bolts and can be relocated later if needed, and public-works staff will calculate pad depth and load-bearing requirements for heavier pieces. The committee also asked staff to prepare a parcel map highlighting city-owned property versus private or HOA property so the group can quickly identify viable sites for art and amenities.

Two of the three sculptures were reported to be arriving imminently; the committee asked that plaques and artist statements be prepared within weeks and that staff confirm electrical and maintenance needs before placement. Members agreed to an expedited follow-up: staff will seek HOA and developer permissions, return with availability, and proceed with the Billingsley pad if a timely HOA agreement cannot be secured.

What’s next: staff will investigate parcel ownership and HOA willingness, finalize pad and electrical requirements with public works, and aim to have at least one sculpture installed pending rights-of-entry and construction scheduling.