Summary: TxDOT wants to "beautify" their TxDOT rights-of-way, so they are offering an annual TxDOT Green Ribbon Grant Program. In January, Willow Park Council hired a consultant for $23K to design, submit, and manage the TxDOT grant.
Latest Update: posted 14 February, 2024
Willow Park applying for TXDOT Grant to "beautify" TxDOT rights-of-way.
TxDOT wants to "beautify" their TxDOT rights-of-way. And they are offering an annual TxDOT Green Ribbon Grant Program to cities that contain TxDOT roads.
In January, Willow Park Council hired a consultant for $23K to assist with landscape design and to submit and manage the grant application to TxDOT.
During the 09 January 2024 Council Meeting, [#1] the City voted to hire Westwood [Pacheco Koch] to provide professional consultation services to assist with landscape design for TxDOT roads in Willow Park and to application submit and manage the 2024 TxDOT Green Ribbon Grant Program. This contract amount is not to exceed $23,600 for professional services and is in the City's Parks budget.
"The Texas Department of Transportation [TxDOT] offers open application for the Green Ribbon Grant Program to cities annually for landscape beautification of the TxDOT rights-of-way. The grant award is a maximum of $400,000 and is structured as a reimbursement to the city." [#1]
• Willow Park Civics Research
• TxDot Landscape and Aesthetics Design Manual > TxDOT Section 7: Policy and Authorities Impacting Landscape and Aesthetics Design - TxDOT recognizes the need for developing highways with acceptable visual quality and has developed several proactive programs that encourage and assist the development of such transportation corridors. These include the Transportation Enhancements Program, Transportation Alternatives Program, Cost Share Program, the Governors Community Achievement Awards, Green Ribbon Landscape Improvement Program, and Landscape Partnership Program.
• 1 Million Trees Across Texas, Scenic Texas, "The Green Ribbon Program was created to improve air quality for high traffic, urban areas with new road construction projects."
• Colleyville City Council approves TxDOT grant funding for Hwy. 26 beautification, Community Impact, 08 June 2022, Excerpts: At its June 7 meeting, City Council approved the advanced funding agreement as TxDOT approved the city’s request for $172,000 in Green Ribbon funding reimbursement for eligible expenses related to the beautification of Hwy. 26 from Cheek Sparger Road to Brown Trail, the agenda item’s memo states. The city will be responsible for covering cost overruns from the project. Local funds will come from the city’s capital improvements program fund.
[#1] 09 January 2024 Council Meeting, Agenda Item 11.Discussion/Action: to approve an agreement for professional services with Westwood Professional Services, Inc. for the Green Ribbon Grant Program.
• Background:
The Texas Department of Transportation [TxDOT] offers open application for the Green Ribbon Grant Program to cities annually for landscape beautification of the TxDOT rights-of-way. The grant award is a maximum of $400,000 and is structured as a reimbursement to the city.
In May 2023, [WPC Blog > 02 May 2023 Parks Board Meeting, Agenda Item 4] the Parks Board was presented with a proposal for an estimated $6,800 for professional consultation services by Westwood [Pacheco Koch] to assist with landscape design and application submittal for the 2024 TxDOT Green Ribbon Grant Program. The Board could not make a collective decision and the item was postponed. In a later discussion with Staff, Lea Young, Council Ex-Officio for the Parks Board, suggested that the city create a full design for all of its rights-of-ways which could be phased, planned, budgeted, and executed annually, as possible, with or without the Grant.
This contract presented to City Council is for the expanded professional services of landscaping architecture conceptual design for the IH-20 TxDOT north and south service roads’ rights-of-way within Willow Park’s approximate city limit from Tricia Trail to Mikus Road; monument sign design and location recommendations; and, application completion and submittal of the 2025 TxDOT Green Ribbon Grant Program. This design will be divisible into phases which can be budgeted and completed annually, and may be submitted for annual application for the TxDOT Green Ribbon Grant.
This contract amount is not to exceed $23,600 for professional services. These funds are currently available within the Parks Budget for Professional Services.
• Exhibits: Westwood Professional Services, Inc.’s Contract Proposal w/ Exhibits