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Coppell outlines Old Town activation plan: amenities ordered, parking counters and new events
Summary
Staff reported ordered streetscape amenities and new and returning events for Old Town Coppell, proposed camera-based parking counters to guide visitors and evaluate future parking needs, and engineering exhibits for permanent food-truck hookups; council asked staff to track business participation and return with implementation details.
City staff presented multiple steps to activate Old Town Coppell during a Feb. 7 work session, including streetscape purchases, parking-counting technology, event programming and site activation concepts.
Staff said it reached out to existing Old Town businesses and heard consistent requests for streetscape amenities. "So, 20 trash receptacles, 2 benches, and 8 bike racks have been ordered to match the existing amenities," staff said, naming Victor Stanley as the vendor, and said delivery and installation are expected by spring.
To better direct visitors to underused parking, staff described a camera-based parking-counter solution that would display available spaces on signage and could be integrated into a map app. Kent explained the approach: it would track available spaces and display directional information "like at the airport" to guide visitors and provide data staff can use to evaluate whether additional parking is needed.
On programming, staff reviewed ongoing events (sunset socials, Old Town anniversary, Kaleidoscope, Halloween and Vintage Christmas) and proposed adding a Graduation Bash on April 11 featuring a band and food trucks; staff said fifth graders, eighth graders and graduating seniors would receive a ticket for a free meal and that elementary and middle schools would assist with distribution. Staff also said LJ Engineering is preparing an exhibit for proposed permanent hookups for food trucks on the square and noted continued consideration of activation options for a vacant pad site east of Twisted Root.
Council asked how staff coordinates and tracks business participation for events; staff said it maintains a business-contact database and can begin tracking participation counts and feedback. Members emphasized defining success metrics (foot traffic, dwell time, visit conversion and revenue per square foot) and asked staff to present baselines and phased cost estimates to guide any investment decisions.
No contracts or procurement beyond the ordered streetscape items were approved in the work session; staff was directed to return with design exhibits, participation tracking and implementation estimates.
