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Council receives positive update from DART at one-year mark
By Kenny Green, kgreen@acnpapers.com
Work on the DART blue line is a little ahead of schedule, and the Rowlett station is set to open at the end of 2012, according to DART board representative and former Rowlett mayor Mark Enoch.
“NTTA looks like they are ahead of schedule connecting the turnpike to Interstate 30, so within 12 months the city of Rowlett will get some relief (from traffic congestion on) Rowlett Road,” Enoch said an update to city council in a work session Tuesday night.
The budget looks good so far, and DART has formed a new committee for capital construction, he said.
Enoch spoke about the increased communication now being offered to the city, thanks to reports now being sent to city officials by DART CEO Gary Thomas.
“The mayor has been very interested in communication being effectively distributed,” Enoch said.
The relocation of the tracks and the movement of drainage allowed DART to save most of the trees on the south side of Dexham Estates, but on the north side some of the trees have to be removed due to the new placement of the drainage, he said. There are trees along the west side that had to be taken down due to the curve of the track.
“I, along with Pat Baugh and the city staff, have been working since Oct. 29 (2009) on a process and result that will not harm property values,” Enoch said.
The council inquired about the progress of the design elements of the Rowlett station. City Manager Lynda Humble said the design committee has two meetings left -- Feb. 11 and Feb. 18. The elements should all be finalized and the council should receive a report as to the results after the meetings are concluded, she said.
“The (goal was for the) aesthetics to create the effect of a creek. I want to get a description of the series of panels at the entrance,” said Rowlett Mayor John Harper.
Humble said that the city had committed to doing some landscape and design elements at the entrance to the rail station on Martin Dr. to assist with the creation of the creek-like feel.
“The committee is reviewing the artwork that will go into plaza,” Humble said.
Councilman Doug Phillips spoke to Enoch about his recent trip to the DART operation and maintenance facility near Fair Park in Dallas.
“I was impressed with the stuff that goes into safety. It was very impressive,” Phillips said.
Enoch said that the employees at the facility do a “wonderful” job, and as a result they have a great record for safety.
Councilwoman Cindy Rushing also praised the experience of touring the facility.
“To learn that they have to take the wheels off of the trains and file them round to keep them that way was interesting,” Rushing said.
Mayor Harper asked Enoch about options DART has been reported to be considering that would add additional DART member cities for less than the one cent tax Rowlett pays.
“I have not heard that. It is not something that the board would support,” Enoch said.
Mayor Harper asked Enoch about equity that the city may receive when a new member city joins DART.
“The policy is we would not require new cities to make a down payment. The policy also says that we will not provide full light rail to a city that is not a DART member city. DART will provide commuter rail (to non-member cities) for a fee,” Enoch said.
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