Government
BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
$1.35M trail project underway in Schertz Schertz officials are one step closer to opening a new trail and completing pedestrian crossing improvements along West Dietz Creek. Schertz City Council approved a $331,319 agree- ment with engineering firm Halff Associates Inc. to provide design, engineering and construction management services for the West Dietz Creek Trail Project on Jan. 6. The estimated $1.35 million project will consist of building a 10-foot-wide concrete, multi-use path along West Dietz Creek. There will also be pedestrian crossing improvements at: • Savannah Drive • Maske Road • Schertz Parkway Benches, trash cans and water fountains will also be constructed at key intersections, according to agenda documents. The West Dietz Creek Trail Project is part of the city’s 2025 Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails, or PROST, Master Plan, adopted by City Council in December 2024. The community identified trails as a high-priority need in the plan. Funding the project The West Dietz Creek Trail Project is being funded through federal and local dollars. Approx- imately $1 million is being administered through the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organiza- tion and the Texas Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program. The program calls for an 80/20 split, so the city is paying a $250,000 match, funded by designated trail development funds. City staff identified
Transportation plan update postponed Guadalupe County commissioners postponed a vote to update its 2012 major thoroughfare plan during its regular meeting Jan. 6. Some details A major thoroughfare plan is a long-range planning tool used for potential future roadways. The plan does not define the final alignment of roadways, nor does it construct roadways and acquire new property. Instead, the plan aims to identify general alignments and roadway classifications needed to accommodate transportation needs and facilitate mobility and connec- tivity, according to Guadalupe County’s website. Guadalupe County Judge Kyle Kutscher said thoroughfare plans are a challenging conversation from start to finish. Precinct 1 Commissioner Jacqueline Ott said her vote will depend on what she thinks is best for her constituents. Precinct 4 Commissioner Stephen Germann said he needs a thoroughfare plan to dictate development. The Commissioners Court will discuss the plan again at a future meeting.
West Dietz Creek Trail Project
Pedestrian crossing improvements
SAVANNAH DR.
WEST DIETZ CREEK
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Breaking down the cost
The West Dietz Creek Trail Project is being funded through federal and local dollars.
City of Schertz: $354,889 Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization: $1M
$1.35M total
SOURCE: CITY OF SCHERTZ/COMMUNITY IMPACT
construction management services as a need to meet federal standards, which increased the project’s cost by $81,319. An additional $23,570 in contingency funds and annual parks and trail development funds is also available for the city’s portion of the project, according to agenda documents. Looking ahead The trail’s design will take about nine months. Construction is anticipated to begin in December, according to an email from the city.
County residents can view a draft of the plan at www.guadalupetx.gov/page/ Thoroughfare%20Plan
Universal City approves development agreement for new food truck park Another food truck park is on the way to Univer- sal City after City Council approved a development agreement for a mobile food unit park at 1980 Universal City Blvd. on Jan. 6. What you need to know A mobile food unit park is defined as three or food trucks and 18 parking spaces, including two accessible spaces, according to agenda documents. Council member William Shelby said the project was great. Mobile Food Unit Park
“I like that we’re developing a piece of property that is basically an empty lot now,” Shelby said. Fitzpatrick said she was concerned about traffic on Universal City Boulevard. “I do see it as being potentially problematic there and dangerous for the people walking,” she said.
UNIVERSAL CITY BLVD.
more food trucks located together on a parcel of pri- vate or city-owned land. The development agree- ment is between the city and local park operator UC Texas LLC. The food park will include space for six
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NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION
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