City of Plano acquires property, approves easements for G Avenue project

A new paving and water improvement project in downtown Plano has passed its next step after a city council meeting Sept. 28.

Plano City Council approved an ordinance of necessity and easements needed for the project along G Avenue at the meeting.

The gist

The city is seeking to acquire land to construct a new sidewalk along G Avenue between 14th street and 15th street. City real estate manager Matt Yager said the new land will be used to create a 10-foot-wide hike and bike trail.

An ordinance of necessity allows the city to take private property for public use, sometimes through eminent domain, per city documents. The land is located in front of A Better Answer Call Centers and land planned for townhomes.

The city also approved a separate strip along the street to be considered a public right-of-way. Yager said this section is part of city property acquired in Nov. 2023 and is currently used for equipment storage by the Plano Police Department.

The background

Plano City Council approved $374,800 to go toward engineering services for the G Avenue paving and water improvement project at a meeting in June 2024, per city documents. Construction is planned to start before the end of 2026, per previous reporting.

Other improvements for the project include waterline replacements, on-street parking and new traffic signals.