Plano voters approved the largest bond referendum in the city’s history last year, clocking in at $647.9 million in planned upgrades, improvements and capital projects.
A total of seven propositions were included in and approved by residents. These include:
- Proposition A: Street Improvements – $316.5 million.
- Proposition B: Police Headquarters – $155.2 million.
- Proposition C: Police Training Facility – $51 million.
- Proposition D: Public Safety Facilities – $37.5 million.
- Proposition E: Fleet Operations Center – $45.1 million.
- Proposition F: Schimelpfenig Library – $1.9 million.
- Proposition G – Park and Recreational Improvements – $40.8 million.
Roads take up the lion’s share of the bond, consisting of nearly half of the entire approved funding. The city will prioritize critical infrastructure projects, including reconstructing and overlaying arterial streets, repairing residential streets and alleys, reconstructing residential and collector streets and implementing various traffic improvements. Plans also include repairing and replacing a bridge, improving intersections and repairing pavement and sidewalks after water main work.
The future police headquarters project takes up the second largest amount in the bond. The project is currently in the design phase, with construction slated to begin in spring 2027. The city plans to build a new headquarters, consolidating the Public Safety Communications department with the police force. The project will provide ample space for all personnel and adequate parking for employees.
In a similar vein to Proposition B, the city will rebuild the police training center, updating a 36-year-old facility that has never been renovated. As part of the rebuilding process, the city will resurface the driving pad to support better safety and advanced training measures. Once complete, the building will have 70% more space than the current layout.
Renovations for the Public Works Fleet Operations Center will be the latest facility updates in 22 years. Plano will resolve notable deficiencies in the building’s current design, including bay heights that are not tall enough and insufficient parking.
The city will follow the framework included in the Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Master Plan and Bicycle Transportation Map to guide park and recreational improvements. The bond will kickstart several projects, enabling the city to buy land, renovate a community park, replace a park maintenance facility and build trail. Various additional park improvement projects include installing shade structures, drinking fountains, seating and other amenities.
Public Safety facilities are slated for a series of significant improvements funded by the bond. Notably, the city will renovate and build additional fire-rescue facilities. Plano will build Fire Station 14 to further expand the emergency response network, covering more ground in less time.
Plans include remodeling Fire Station 8 to include a storm shelter meeting ICC 500 requirements. The city will also add additional apparatus bays for a medic unit and apparatus storage. The facility will receive a series of ADA-compliant updates and resolutions for other outdated features. Additional work will include buying land in the immediate area of Fire Station 3 in preparation for eventually replacing it.
The final project included in the bond will be the remodel for Schimelpfenig Library. The city will renovate restrooms for accessibility, replace carpet, paint and ceiling, replace elevators and add study pods.
Photo by David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, from Wikimedia Commons
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