Midlothian seeking approval on $125-million bond election

MIDLOTHIAN – The bond package will feature four propositions including $46-million for a new public safety and police headquarters.

Proposition A would fund a new public safety and police headquarters including a dispatch center, emergency operations command center, investigations suite, property and evidence management, and holding cells. 

The new facility would have public space separate from detainees, training, crime prevention and community action programs, victims’ relief and chaplain’s offices and patrol and administration offices and workspaces, as well as fire department administration and fire marshal offices.

Passage of Proposition B would authorize $25-million in funding for a combined city hall and library complex that would house a public library with book rooms, children’s area, and hands-on “maker” activity space, and would share space with the city hall lobby and reception areas and community meeting rooms. 

The new city hall would feature city council chambers with increased seating capacity for citizens and necessary communications and audiovisual technology and offices and space for customer service functions and administrative departments.

Construction of a community recreation center would be funded at $19 -million with approval of Proposition C. 

The new venue would be operated as a family membership facility and would serve a multi-generational membership. Programs and services have been envisioned in partnership with a third party, which could assume responsibility for day-to-day operations of the facility. Amenities would include fitness and exercise spaces and gymnasium facilities, senior citizen exercise programs, indoor and outdoor pools, a splash pad, child watch center, wellness center, and locker rooms.

Top priority road projects that would be funded for $35.58 million by Proposition D are:

• U.S. Highway 287 Southbound Exit Ramp at South 14th Street. 

• Mt. Zion Road connection from South 14th Street to Mt. Zion Road. 

• Hawkins Run Road from South 14th Street to Midlothian Parkway. 

• McAlpin Road from FM 663 to Plainview Road. 

• South 14th Street from La Paz to Dove Creek. 

• Mockingbird Lane from Midlothian Parkway to Walnut Grove. 

Improvements include constructing and reconstructing, improving and upgrading streets, roads, bridges, intersections, utility relocation, drainage, landscaping, sidewalks, acquisition of right-of-way, sign systems and signalization, traffic safety, and other operational upgrades.