CDC backs Option 2 for FM 407 village-connection, authorizes grant pursuit and funding agreement

The Highland Village Community Development Corporation voted Aug. 10 to recommend Option 2 for the FM 407 village-connection project and to authorize staff to pursue grant funding and enter into a funding agreement with the city to pay for grant application and associated professional services.

Presenter Phil summarized four options and cost ranges: Option 1 at about $2.2 million (city-funded), Option 2 about $4.7 million total with the city's net contribution estimated between roughly $934,000 and $1.63 million depending on the grant program and required local match, and Option 3 about $2.7 million but facing railroad-easement and private-property challenges. Phil told the board the packet includes alignments, recommended options, funding scenarios and estimated next steps.

Board member Rhonda Hurst said she favored Option 2 because a high-quality trail and amenity stations between Unity Park and the shopping area could position the city to capture hotel-occupancy or short-term-rental tax revenue from tournaments and visitors. "If we could do a bang up job, especially from Unity Park to the shops, that also preposition us to qualify and do a hot tax hotel occupancy tax," Hurst said.

Board members asked whether submitting a grant application would commit the city to design or construction; staff and the presenter repeatedly clarified that applying for a grant is separate from design approval and that designs and any build decisions would be returned to the board for future approval and public engagement. Following debate and clarification of funding scenarios, a motion was made to proceed with the consultant's Option 2 for FM 407, pursue grant funding, enter into a funding agreement to cover application/professional-service fees, and, if a grant is awarded, approve funds to move toward construction subject to later approvals. The motion was seconded and the board voted in favor; the motion carried.