Weatherford retreat sets $30 million capital priorities including Fire Station 5, parks and road extensions

City staff on April 17 presented a coordinated capital program that repurposes a reissuance of certificates of obligation to support library-sized and infrastructure projects across Weatherford.

The retreat timetable calls for roughly $30 million in allocations across several projects, including a new Fire Station 5 (budgeted at about $8 million), roughly $18 million earmarked for roads, a destination-level Hollow Lake Park, renovations to the animal shelter and the design of a new public works warehouse. James O'Tos (City manager, as introduced during the meeting) framed the plan as a continuation of priorities set during the 2024 retreat.

Why it matters: Staff said the funding package aims to keep pace with growth while preserving the city’s low tax-rate posture. The projects are intended to improve emergency response, mobility and quality of life in neighborhoods that are seeing new development.

Fire Station 5: scope, schedule and readiness Matt (council/staff presenter) described the Fire Station 5 site as a roughly five-acre parcel the city already owns and the building as a roughly 12,000-square-foot station with three apparatus bays and a standalone training tower that the department intends to rent to outside agencies. On project timing, Matt said the design-build team expects design to wrap in August and for construction to begin in September, with an anticipated one-year build and doors opening in September 2027. “Doors open at, September 2027,” he said.

Staff and council asked about operational readiness if the building is finished before personnel and equipment are in place. Chief Peacock responded that staffing and apparatus have been staged over the last three to four years and that funds for vehicles are in the equipment replacement fund, aiming to avoid a gap between the building opening and operational capability.

Roadwork and mobility priorities Staff highlighted two high-priority road projects advanced from last year’s retreat: Claremont Drive (a proposed four-lane divided arterial, currently about 30% in design, with design completion targeted February 2027) and the Lamar extension (about a half-mile, three-lane project currently in right-of-way negotiation with affected property owners, including a church and two private parcels). The Kirkpatrick Drive extension was recently awarded to a contractor and staff reported a necessary contract change order for dirt-quantity discrepancies of approximately $237,000 that keeps the project under the $3 million allocation.

Parks, warehouse and other facilities Parks staff described Hollow Lake Park as a $2.5 million ‘‘destination’’ playground with ADA elements now in bid design and set to begin construction after McGrath Park. Love Street Park’s splash pad ($490,000) is under construction and expected to open soon, staff said. The public works warehouse was presented as a sub‑10,000-square-foot facility with an approximate $2.1–$2.2 million preliminary estimate for the quality shown, though staff noted options and funding considerations remain under review.

What’s next Council directed staff to continue design and to bring forward contract and budget items as appropriate. Several members urged careful sequencing of annexation and roadway construction to avoid extending infrastructure into unincorporated properties that would benefit non-city taxpayers. Staff said more specific project-level action items and change orders will be brought to council for formal approval as bids and designs are finalized.