[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6510959,"mediaKeyId","5345917-f90f03b71a2c9c2449969e6122250cd9","parentId",5345917,"title","Balch Springs EDC previews FY2026 priorities; confirms $300,000 collector‑road commitment for Alexander Village over two years","audioSeconds",838,"startMs",3480000,"endMs",4318000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345917-f90f03b71a2c9c2449969e6122250cd9&start=3480&end=4318","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345917-f90f03b71a2c9c2449969e6122250cd9/thumbnail_3480000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6510959/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Balch-Springs-EDC-previews-FY2026-priorities-confirms-300000-collectorroad-commitment-for-Alexander-Village-over-two-years","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510959-47d582bab61f9eb53e2b5ad10ffb41eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084412&Signature=JI2XDqWLNFPXOBEClOfifSqYB2eVh1ablJOF3deqFXd0uPIBzbCOxmLh8wzOvHtSnffCty-uwhZdpEPJeUZEEdQjwklPD3NQ0L11JTLsyHODhg9z1Z96lfBxJEs1sl9swN~zFGWcV9SXNEp7m4zhCB2rcM8wQ2AXwn2P2Lm8Mkke-dm7ESl72xl8PvS2vQjKK~IiIpmAA~KNstBiedNpo-ivQiRP0zpSDOO9pyRhe9Cs4ZVpBq-W10Nxv0Zzi4o5NIDDSrL~qtRgEEKJ~J8lIvE9Fvje9xnNcjdNO9nQzYNLE97EahamfyQMFxpadLnSzu~cKnnat24VgbEP8i-6gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Balch Springs","date","2025-07-09T00:00:00Z","article","At the July 9 meeting the Balch Springs Community and Economic Development Corporation (Type B) received a budget briefing outlining near‑term capital priorities and economic development commitments for FY2026.

Staff highlighted priority projects that will shape the Type B budget proposal: completion of Irvin Park field renovations (Phase 2), a parking expansion at Oak Ridge Park tied to recent amenity additions, and obligations related to the Alexander Village development agreement. Staff said the city has budgeted funds for several current CIP projects and noted an approved $880,000 grant for street lighting along the Beltline Corridor; staff also described lane and intersection improvements and planned streetscape work.

On Alexander Village—a mixed‑use development project staff described as including restaurants, entertainment and market‑rate apartments—staff said the development agreement calls for a $300,000 collector‑road contribution from the EDC split as $200,000 in the current fiscal year and $100,000 in the next fiscal year. Staff said one property owner has donated right‑of‑way and city staff are negotiating with another property owner (a church) to secure the remaining acreage needed to construct the collector road and to permit an I‑20 driveway with TxDOT.

Staff also updated the board on other active projects: the Woodland parking lot and practice field (under construction), Godberry Park veil contract, Lululeke Park splash pad upgrade, and an upcoming La Quinta hotel and ribbon cuttings for new businesses. Staff said they intend to present the proposed FY2026 budget and sales‑tax projections to the board in August and asked for board feedback on priorities.

Ending: Staff said the August meeting will include the formal FY2026 budget presentation and requested full board attendance for budget adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Balch Springs - EDC Type B Board Meeting - Jul 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff briefed the EDC (Type B) on FY2026 budget priorities including Phase 2 of Irvin Park renovations, Oak Ridge parking expansion, Beltline lighting grants, and the Alexander Village developer commitment to a $300,000 collector‑road contribution split $200,000 in the current fiscal year and $100,000 next year.","taxTitle","Balch Springs, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",69448,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6510964,"Balch Springs EDC approves $7,500 contract to submit Safe Streets for All (SS4A) planning grant application",174,3304000,3478000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345917-f90f03b71a2c9c2449969e6122250cd9&start=3304&end=3478","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345917-f90f03b71a2c9c2449969e6122250cd9/thumbnail_3304000.jpg","/articles/6510964/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Balch-Springs-EDC-approves-7500-contract-to-submit-Safe-Streets-for-All-SS4A-planning-grant-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510964-de093550578411eda287dbd5d3ee8e7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084412&Signature=V5tCgiRQLxE1aE---mLGBtIvLiVKoGudOtJn7FPGytC2sXXenZih5F9zb4DCemwBb2MsirQqVTJBKh2nRX6NfpF8Swfb9kY1dTRBhOJ0gciqguZ-KT0GmTOXq8ZxCD5XvcgGtBa0moHO3qV0LM-ZPRHXcCMhBiGu8EmJIxJGlRej3jN5rPHUWHDzwguuGgrHqgpH~YT~3HqQvATCwyqVdSUtPMjqdmDBmx35XAtT-Te4IaJjhYNVqaemmrplNn2Ji66ziWnhI0-t~ypgyGkghElCki5-cz-5exeJinQ8CbCUpuYAHALcaNDSR6QXq7g4rCz04Sk2MRfTAtSCKZ5gHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Balch Springs Community and Economic Development Corporation (Type B) approved on July 9 a contract not to exceed $7,500 with Kimberly Horn and Associates for professional engineering services to support a Safe Streets for All (SS4A) planning grant application.

Staff said the SS4A planning grant would fund an ADA transition plan—a plan that inventories pedestrian sidewalks and ADA improvements across the city and is a requirement to be eligible for certain transportation construction funds. Staff told the board that Type A had approved funding for its share of the consultant fee and that Type B’s share is $7,500 from contracted services.

Staff said the full SS4A grant, if awarded, would be about $200,000 to prepare the ADA transition plan. The grant application deadline required timely action, and Type A previously approved its portion because the Type B meeting lacked a quorum earlier; Type B’s vote completes the local match to allow the consultant to submit the application on behalf of the city.

The motion to approve the contract was made by Director Wanda Adams, seconded by Director Katicia Bruner, and passed unanimously.

Ending: Staff will proceed to contract with Kimberly Horn and Associates and submit the SS4A planning grant application; if awarded, staff will return with the scope and award details for board consideration of implementation.","The EDC (Type B) approved a contract, not to exceed $7,500, with Kimberly Horn and Associates to prepare and submit a Safe Streets for All (SS4A) planning grant application that would fund an ADA transition plan if awarded.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6510968,"Balch Springs EDC approves ADA sidewalk and splash‑pad trail work at Oak Ridge Park",799,2475000,3274000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345917-f90f03b71a2c9c2449969e6122250cd9&start=2475&end=3274","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345917-f90f03b71a2c9c2449969e6122250cd9/thumbnail_2475000.jpg","/articles/6510968/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Balch-Springs-EDC-approves-ADA-sidewalk-and-splashpad-trail-work-at-Oak-Ridge-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510968-e2d35c2f68d5fb6fbd72f10f1eb2777c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084412&Signature=afICh81LBbeucs1-~Mn9UcOGhHljbi2oImOkvAHIPH~Ms0D94L~dwLkTD9aOkulzmEc2~OeH~MtCIc25fYxJTZkHyp0I7A568Sy7rO1UUgvdiGt5HoTR9~LARmTpjeUIjNB-8wp5FHSsFhgjYgMovXCe4srVLHy4EV~KyzgT1KxAoBeKfRkSGgnSzcGGNyWdjhXfocCZhoP1PcZtlR1WTz-um1yXMArsWS3Rws1qFPzENVUwvlZyCItT1BZwKB~RQ6to0xUjVTZieux7qqkCjlmhd4ZYPxAAqDDQK028eidn~LobBtT-BlbmaEG1f9jCF0zmECcbjC69~uWVeSgxeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Balch Springs Community and Economic Development Corporation (Type B) approved two related park accessibility projects July 9: up to $10,860 to construct an ADA‑compliant sidewalk around the new restroom at Oak Ridge Park, 14201 Spring Oaks Drive, and up to $19,800 to build a trail from the Pirate Cove splash pad to that restroom.

Staff described the restroom as recently completed and said the sidewalk work will create a continuous 4‑ to 5‑foot paved path around the building, tie it into the existing Spring Oaks sidewalk, and provide an ADA‑compliant connection from the splash pad. The trail item would add a surfaced path from the splash pad gate to the restroom and include modest landscaping at a small triangular planting area near the restroom entrance.

Staff said both items are budgeted from the community development parks line: the department budgeted $175,000 for community development park items this year and, to date, has expended $50,000, leaving roughly $113,000 remaining for additional projects. The board approved both motions without discussion; the ADA sidewalk motion was moved by Director Katicia Bruner and seconded by Director Wanda Adams, and the Pirate Cove trail motion was moved by Director Wanda Adams and seconded by Director Katicia Bruner.

Board members asked how users from the existing parking lot would access the restroom and staff said parking expansion is a prioritized CIP item to be considered in upcoming budget deliberations. Staff also described a county‑coordinated 3.7‑mile trail design that will route through Oak Ridge Park and connect to larger regional trail networks; staff said they submitted a grant application for construction funding and expected a notification in September or October.

Ending: Staff will proceed with the sidewalk and trail procurements within the approved amounts and will present parking expansion and trail grant outcomes to the board as part of future budget and project updates.","The EDC (Type B) authorized up to $10,860 for an ADA sidewalk around the new restroom at Oak Ridge Park and approved $19,800 for a pedestrian trail linking the Pirate Cove splash pad to the restroom.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6510973,"Balch Springs EDC approves $165,000 annual allocation for Star Transit public transportation",1186,1115000,2301000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345917-f90f03b71a2c9c2449969e6122250cd9&start=1115&end=2301","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345917-f90f03b71a2c9c2449969e6122250cd9/thumbnail_1115000.jpg","/articles/6510973/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Balch-Springs-EDC-approves-165000-annual-allocation-for-Star-Transit-public-transportation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510973-fc65bcb1755c6eeea5b51be9ec7233e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084412&Signature=MVmHApVme~cu-hKTTXfzFXlWLy8fUmLAqxL4oIzDBhHGqMSTdZOqEZfpS~b~ZZiYzHnoJAW-GURFqcwrOU4TifQNqaJkF1tAacob764khAUzseNrjsqFWI~WJP9zehdS85jIx7WTblXxmFqkE0iq1Qk~i2PpcKw8qYljg2cJH5kaeuUtyby~-n0jN~oME~NeWZa2Lyp0lV3-l6PUpXTqUwRAda0e76WXZuZN-kpZ3dFIj0pQsakLpDOhrDJ2olBPMMewwcXCqTbm8YOjrbmMaYbUVah5NEgPitzOqKTTycRA7HdlAn-ZbeKtjt7RuyMLYSJfk77X32SH0IdcbMAxZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Balch Springs Community and Economic Development Corporation (Type B) voted July 9 to provide up to $165,000 in funding to Star Transit for public transportation services in fiscal year 2025–26.

Star Transit Executive Director Tommy Henricks and Transportation Director Antonio Harris presented service data and the FY2026 budget request. Star Transit operates demand-response and fixed-route services in the region; staff said the agency provided about 21,052 trips in 2024 and reported 524 unique riders in Balch Springs in the most recent year. Staff reported an on-time performance of 89% and said customer reviews were 99% positive.

Henricks and Harris described a same-day on‑demand service branded as Star Now that integrates with UberX to reduce wait times. The agency explained that riders schedule through Star Transit’s call center or app; when customers have agreed to Uber integration and Star Transit’s vehicles would exceed a set wait threshold, the scheduling software can automatically dispatch an UberX vehicle. Star Transit reported that wait times fell from roughly 24 minutes to about 16–17 minutes after integrating UberX and that monthly trips on the same-day service increased from roughly 390 to over 500.

The board asked technical and budget questions. Staff said the Star Transit board sets an hourly cost-per-hour that factors operating expenses such as salaries, fuel, and vehicle maintenance; that rate changed modestly for FY2026 and accounts for the city portion rising from $159,000 to the requested $167,000 in the agency’s slide deck. City staff said the request to Balch Springs is $165,000 for the year.

Director Wanda Adams moved to approve the funding, Director Helen Shelby seconded, and the board voted unanimously in favor. Staff said the requested funds will support demand‑response rides, Star Now same‑day service (including a capped Uber integration), and the fixed-route Midtown Express service in the Balch Springs service area.

Ending: Staff said they will continue to market the Star Now service locally and return with program updates and monthly performance metrics as requested by the board.","The Balch Springs EDC (Type B) unanimously approved up to $165,000 in funding for Star Transit service for fiscal year 2025–26 and heard a presentation on ridership, fares and a same‑day service integrated with UberX.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6510977,"Balch Springs EDC approves $750,000 for Irvin Park field renovations, separately allocates funds for fence upgrades",2131,340000,2471000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345917-f90f03b71a2c9c2449969e6122250cd9&start=340&end=2471","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345917-f90f03b71a2c9c2449969e6122250cd9/thumbnail_340000.jpg","/articles/6510977/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Balch-Springs-EDC-approves-750000-for-Irvin-Park-field-renovations-separately-allocates-funds-for-fence-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510977-ace3cee9a35671ebda5880de2c8855e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084412&Signature=l6yOAtNU1arEnWNxEwZETPM8Ez2U4-B27xH~F6zy9fpHHd97AYR1Sr2gt~UMR-pyC-Zr8DAb2Sp0uMadOkw~~~up9~3mrvv3NK7P4cyRqNMB86XBL2x34h2oCikLB19IxXxvbMQ56ntfNt-57TzPHvkm~BlPmfbbJfI8dAl26zQOXR8CAU65EdFvCVw7StBlYRlBmBQ9rIhTpyXfGBM8gbpKOlFQWJnNUvl2R9gcSqg0drZmRROZ3q~0shGwX~nOv0tEZQfM~cBGzrXeSYjKtXl2N-ZKNhkOZDLFoEHaSvIXj9UI7~i6X4mPgr~1MAeM1xPphBogIrwlKFC-NRCC3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Balch Springs Community and Economic Development Corporation (Type B) voted July 9 to approve up to $750,000 this fiscal year to begin a phased renovation of the baseball fields at Irvin Park, 4208 and 4400 Shepherd Lane, and separately approved up to $150,000 for fence upgrades at the same complex.

City staff told the board the full proposal from Sports Field Solutions would cost about $1.2 million to fully revamp four fields, including irrigation and lighting, but that staff recommended approving up to $750,000 now because that was the budgeted amount for the current fiscal year. The board also approved a separate funding authorization, not to exceed $150,000, for upgraded fencing and related backstops.

Staff said the vendor, Sports Field Solutions, is on the BuyBoard procurement cooperative and has completed similar projects in the region. Sports Field Solutions representative Mark Olsen told the board the installation package does not include ongoing maintenance services but does include maintenance recommendations and initial on-site training for city operations staff; additional maintenance contracts would be priced separately.

City staff and the vendor outlined a phased schedule: if approved, work would begin after agreements are finalized, with a tentative mobilization in September. The vendor estimated about one month of construction per field and recommended an additional month for turf establishment; staff said the board’s authorization would fund work on the two front fields and irrigation this fiscal year, with the remaining two fields and remaining scope to be budgeted in FY2026.

Board discussion clarified finances and timing. Staff said the proposal’s total cost is \"a little over 1,200,000\" and that the recommended $750,000 is the amount set aside from this year’s budget. Staff said the remaining balance—about $592,000—would be requested from the board in the next fiscal year budget process starting Oct. 1. The board recorded the motion to approve funding for the field renovation (motion by Director Helen Shelby; seconded by Director Wanda Adams) and the motion to approve fence upgrades (motion recorded by the secretary, vote seconded by Director Christopher Watson). Both motions passed unanimously.

The board packet includes the vendor proposal and a project budget; staff said the project will be broken into phases so the city can start immediate repairs to make fields playable while completing additional amenities in later phases. Staff added that the city is seeking separate maintenance pricing to consider an operation-side agreement after construction is complete.

The board’s approvals authorize staff to execute contracts and proceed with phase 1 work within the approved limits; staff said any additional funding to complete the total project would return to the board for action in the new fiscal year.

Ending: Staff said they will return with phase‑2 budget requests after the FY2026 budget is adopted and will keep the board updated on procurement and schedule.","The Balch Springs Economic Development Corporation (Type B) voted unanimously July 9 to set aside up to $750,000 for a phased renovation of the baseball fields at Irvin Park and separately approved up to $150,000 for fence upgrades.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Balch Springs EDC previews FY2026 priorities; confirms $300,000 collector‑road commitment for Alexander Village over two years

Balch Springs EDC approves $7,500 contract to submit Safe Streets for All (SS4A) planning grant application

Balch Springs EDC approves ADA sidewalk and splash‑pad trail work at Oak Ridge Park

Balch Springs EDC approves $165,000 annual allocation for Star Transit public transportation

Balch Springs EDC approves $750,000 for Irvin Park field renovations, separately allocates funds for fence upgrades