CC MEETING: November 21, 2023
DATE: November 9, 2023
TO: Erin Rinehart, City Manager
FROM: Jonathan Wheat, P.E., Director of Engineering
Marc Guy, Assistant City Manager
Title
Consider A Resolution In Support Of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Resolution No. 230038 Related To Right-Of-Way Requirements For The Silver Line Project; Providing For Authorization To Exercise Eminent Domain To Acquire Right-Of-Way Within The Carrollton Corporate Limits.
Body
BACKGROUND:
The DART Silver Line commuter rail line project is currently under construction in Carrollton and other cities between Plano and DFW International Airport. The Silver Line will improve public transportation mobility in the northern part of the DART service area, generally serving an east-west commuter travel corridor. This rail corridor will have several major destinations including the DFW Airport station, which will also provide a connection to the Fort Worth Transportation Authority TEXRail passenger rail line. The Downtown Carrollton Station will become a regional transit hub with the completion of the Silver Line.
DART is requesting the authority to obtain one property adjacent to the rail corridor, at the southeast corner of Hutton Drive and Belt Line Road (Parcel CB2-037). DART is rebuilding and upgrading the intersection into a quiet zone as a consequence of the dual-track Silver Line.
On April 18, 2023, the DART Board approved Resolution No. 230038 declaring a public necessity, establishing just compensation and authorizing the acquisition of this parcel through eminent domain proceedings, if necessary. Based on the current construction schedule, the acquisition of this parcel must be completed soon.
IMPACT ON COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY:
This project will support the City Council’s strategic objectives and vision of building a community that families and businesses want to call home by:
• Providing greater transit service and mobility along the DART Silver Line;
• Increasing economic development opportunities due to increased transit accessibility.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION/ACTION DESIRED:
Staff recommends City Council approval of the attached resolution authorizing the acquisition of private property by DART which is needed for the construction of the Silver Line commuter rail.