Rowlett approves $300,000 downtown bistro‑lighting plan to boost nighttime activity

Rowlett City Council on Aug. 5 approved a downtown bistro‑lighting project intended to brighten Main Street, create a gateway from the DART station and boost nighttime foot traffic and events.

Assistant Director of Economic Development Charles Mazarek told council the project includes roughly 15,000 feet of overhead bistro lighting across downtown (from Rowlett Road to 190, with additional runs toward the DART station), about 7,500 RGBW lamps and roughly 78–100 steel poles. He said staff procured the package through a cooperative contract and set a not‑to‑exceed cost of $300,000 to allow a small contingency above the contractor’s estimate.

Vendor Glow Geeks (presenter Shane) described technical features — stainless‑steel guide wires, 16‑foot poles, a 5‑year manufacturer warranty and a next‑day warranty service option — and urged option B for anchoring lights around the clock tower to preserve the tower’s architecture. "This is really a a first for Texas," the presenter said, arguing the installation would help downtown events and economic activity.

Council discussed spacing (45‑foot tighter spacing downtown, 90‑foot spacing on corridors), clearance and pole foundations; staff and vendor said poles will be sited to preserve sidewalk access and be engineered for wind and vehicle clearance, with options to raise select poles if needed. Funding was described as a mix of downtown improvement/bond funds and potential surplus from an industrial-street project; staff and city management said $150,000 would come from a downtown bonding allocation and other funds would be drawn from identified surpluses or the downtown improvement fund.

Council approved the resolution authorizing the purchase and installation by a vote of 6–0. The project’s material lead time is 5–6 weeks; staff targeted a delivery and install window to complete infrastructure and lighting before an October 2025 launch.