Planning work for potential Snider Plaza improvements continues.
The University Park City Council recently approved the Snider Plaza concept plan.
Amanda Hartwick, a special projects coordinator with the city, outlined the history of discussions regarding improving the shopping center, which first opened in 1927.
“Snider Plaza’s been a topic for many years — how to improve the plaza, parking specifically, and other issues — many, many years, and many city councils, so I wanted to start this way just to show you that the plan that you’re looking at today is a culmination of all of these previous efforts,” Hartwick said at a recent city council meeting. “What this shows is a strategy for adding on layers of improvements through a shared funding strategy — both private and public partnership.”
She said the plan addresses infrastructure needs, as well as opportunities for landscaping, and other improvements in the shopping center. Notable components include special paving in the center around the fountain as well as consistent sidewalks, signage, and landscaping throughout the plaza. A small green space is also proposed at the south end of the plaza, as well as opportunities to enhance the fountain.
Hartwick said approval of the concept plan allows city officials to move forward on pricing consideration for the plan.
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The issue is expected to come back before the council in August.
In other news, the council:
- Approved authorizing City Manager Robbie Corder to execute an interlocal agreement with Dallas County allowing the city to apply to receive CARES Act funding associated with COVID-19. University Park is reportedly eligible for approximately $1.26 million.
- Approved a resolution authorizing reimbursing the town of Highland Park for mapping and preliminary engineering design services for the shared 30-inch Turtle Creek sanitary sewer trunk main. The total cost of the mapping and preliminary design services is estimated at $376,700 and the city’s portion is estimated at $185,000. Funding for the effort is budgeted in the fiscal year 2020 capital improvement budget.
- Approved a resolution re-appointing Gary Slagel as the city’s shared representative, with Richardson and the towns of Addison and Highland Park, to the DART Board of Directors.
- Approved an ordinance amending the 2020 sanitation franchises to add Mustang Waste Services and Turn Compost.
