Allen | April 2026

Government

The Allen Public Library expanded its services to include laptop rentals for teenagers and adults with library cards, per an April 6 news release. The details Library patrons can check out one of 15 available laptops with a charger for work, school or general use, per the release. Card holders can check out laptops for up to two hours at a time, with the option to renew the Residents in Allen’s Greengate neighborhood can expect to see sidewalk improvements under- way later this year. Allen City Council unani- mously approved a $2.15 million construction contract with Fort Worth-based Cole Construction for neighborhood infrastructure improvements at an April 14 meeting. A closer look The project includes replacing 109 ramps, 50 alley approaches and 63% of the sidewalk panels within the Greengate neighbor- hood and surrounding portions of Allen Heights Drive, Director of Engineering Chris Flanigan said. The neighborhood was built in the ‘80’s and contains many broken sidewalk panels and areas that are no longer compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, per city documents. “There are various means at our disposal to combat decline Nearly $2.2M in updates coming to Greengate neighborhood

"It’s good to see these dollars going into some of our aging neighborhoods." MICHAEL SCHAEFFER,

COUNCIL MEMBER

within dierent neighborhoods of our community and help bridge that disparity in current standards of today versus those that may have been in place back when they were originally constructed,” Flanigan said. The project will impact street parking, but the project manager will communicate with residents ahead of time, Flanigan said. The cost Cole Construction had the low- est priced bid at $1.96 million with a 10% contingency, making the total price $2.15 million, city docu- ments state. Cole Construction also tied for the lowest calendar bid, meaning the shortest project length, of the ve companies. Funding for the project comes from the city’s 2023 voter-ap- proved bond, which included funds for neighborhood infra- structure enhancements, accord- ing to city documents.

Allen Public Library expands services rental per availability. Patrons can also check out mouses and key- boards, and can use the laptops anywhere inside the library, the release states.

W. MCDERMOTT DR.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM