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Farmers Branch council approves Justice Center furniture and design contracts for major roadway and utility projects
Summary
Council unanimously approved three resolutions: (1) up to $250,342.49 for Justice Center furniture (ARPA funds), (2) $912,700 for design of Webb Chapel Road utility improvements with ~13,000 LF of water main replacement, and (3) $552,200 for Denton Drive roadway design. Officials discussed ARPA obligation deadlines, project phasing, and traffic/bonding concerns before approving each.
The Farmers Branch City Council on Oct. 8 approved a package of procurement and design contracts for the Justice Center and two major infrastructure projects.
Justice Center furniture and ARPA timing Catherine Lee, deputy director of finance and facilities, presented Resolution 2024‑179 authorizing the city manager to execute purchase and installation of furniture with Wilson Ballhaus via OMNIA Partners for the Justice Center in an amount not to exceed $250,342.49. Lee said the Justice Center project is funded with ARPA dollars and that a portion of ARPA must be obligated by Dec. 31, 2024, with expenditures to be completed by Dec. 31, 2026. Council approved the resolution unanimously.
Webb Chapel Road utility design — $912,700 Ray Silvarez, director of public works, asked the council to approve Resolution 2024‑169 to enter a professional services agreement with Birkhoff, Hendricks & Carter LLP for the design of Webb Chapel Road utility improvements ($912,700). Silvarez said the design covers roughly 13,000 linear feet of water main replacement and about 7,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer upgrades; construction may be split into four phases. Council members pressed staff on traffic‑management plans, phasing and cost estimates (staff referenced an opinion of probable construction cost near $10 million) and on contractor bonding/performance protections. Staff said phase 1 — a segment crossing Farmers Branch Creek with a pipe out of service — is urgent and will be prioritized; the council unanimously approved the design agreement.
Denton Drive roadway design — $552,200 The council also approved Resolution 2024‑175 to contract Teague Nall & Perkins for Denton Drive Roadway Improvements design ($552,200). Staff explained the work connects to an existing construction segment near the Dallas Stars building and must align design elements for continuity; the project includes trail connectivity required by grant/COG and DART ILA funding. The council had limited discussion and approved the contract unanimously.
Public comment and next steps A public commenter, Armani Miller Jackson, asked about panhandling in Farmers Branch and jurisdictional limits along major tollways; the mayor referred the commenter to the police chief for follow‑up. Staff said the Webb Chapel design will move forward to survey and detailed design, after which the city will develop construction timelines and bidding phases. Each approved contract now advances to the city manager for execution and subsequent procurement or permitting steps.
