Some Colleyville residents say city prioritized $2.7M plaza over sidewalks, roads
As residents gathered Friday night to celebrate the city’s Christmas tree lighting at the recently completed plaza in front of city hall, others questioned why Colleyville isn’t focusing on adding sidewalks to schools and working on road repairs.
The issue was debated in a public Facebook group, Colleyville Citizens for Accountability.
Matthew Laiety, a Colleyville resident who also is an administrator of the Facebook group, said he keeps a close eye on what is happening in the city.
“I am very passionate about the city, and I want the best for the community, which includes basic infrastructure. Our city leaders have been much more concerned with vanity projects and leaving a personal legacy more so than ensuring the well-being of the town as a whole,” Laiety wrote in an email to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
But city officials and residents who served on committees are painting a different picture. They describe how Colleyville is moving ahead with building sidewalks and on a five-year capital improvement plan which includes road repairs.
When asked about the questions from some residents about the $2.7 million plaza project, councilwoman Tammy Nakamura said, “It’s politics, that’s all it is.”
“What we had (before the plaza was built) was people sitting all over the lawn. This will give people a place to meet and enjoy events,” she said.
The Plaza at City Hall has other features including a shade structure that also doubles as a stage, a pedestrian-only area and places for food trucks. The plaza, which is in front of city hall, was built with funds from a Tax Increment Finance District, which was established in 1998.
“We want the plaza to be our community focal point,” said city manager Jerry Ducay.
Colleyville surveyed residents, and many wanted an outdoor gathering place, he said. Ducay added that events are already scheduled at the plaza.
When asked about Glade Road, Ducay said that work is underway to relocate utilities, and that bids on construction to widen the road will likely take place in the spring.
But Laiety said sidewalks are needed because residents want more access throughout the city.
He lives near Bransford Elementary and a shopping center with a Whole Foods, but said the roads are too congested for pedestrians.
Larry Williamson, who serves on the city’s pedestrian committee, said the plaza is a beneficial project for Colleyville and that the city is not avoiding other projects that benefit residents.
“Certainly, there will be opinions on priorities but we are absolutely becoming a 21st century city while maintaining our rural character and charm. It’s a daunting task but we’ll succeed,” Williamson said.
Another resident, Vanessa Steinkamp, said she wants officials to focus on sidewalks that connect people to schools, parks and shopping and for work to begin on Glade Road.
“I am all for beautification in the city, but I think we need to have the basics before we go to those type of expenses,” Steinkamp said.