In the 1990's, a segment of the Custer Road right-of-way (R.O.W.) was abandoned when the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) widened and aligned with the existing Custer Road to the west thoroughfare, south of Hedgcoxe Road.  The Custer Road bridge that crossed Russell Creek was removed by TxDOT when they abandoned the R.O.W.

Adjacent and east of the abandoned R.O.W. is the Custer Hill Estates development which built out in the late 1990's.  This neighborhood has over 550 single family homes and yet is not served by a public park.

In 2005-06, the City of Allen, through the developer of the Custer-Hedgcoxe Addition Commercial Center at the Hedgcoxe-Custer intersection, constructed a section of trail along the south side of the creek.  This trail connected to Plano's trail on the west side of Custer Road.   Since that time no additional trail has been built in this area.

In 2020, TxDOT offered to sell the abandoned Custer Road R.O.W. to the City of Allen, despite having a standing offer from a private buyer.  A survey and appraisal accompanied the offer, assessing the value of the land at $195,000.  TxDOT makes the offer for that price, plus an additional $7,620 for the survey and appraisal, yielding the total price of the offer at $202,260.

This property has value to the City of Allen in several aspects. First, it can provide for the extension and fulfillment of the interjurisdictional trail system in this area, joining Allen's trail system at city limit lines.  Second, the right-of-way is 90' wide, and offers an opportunity for the passage of both a trail and for small pocket park type areas along the trail for play or fitness equipment, rest stops and other amenities.  Third, the acquisition of the right-of-way will establish recreational opportunities in an otherwise underserved area (except for an HOA amenity center at the far south end of the Custer Hill Estates development).  

Finally, Allen's acquisition simplifies the passage of the long-planned Russell Creek Trail through the area by eliminating the granting of an easement by TxDot or a private owner.

Funding for this project is identified in Land Acquisition dollars, General Obligations Bonds, approved by the Allen community in the 2016 Bond Election.

Staff recommends that the City Council Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Purchase with the Texas Department of Transportation for the Old Custer Road Right-of-Way for the Expansion of the Six Cities Trail Plan Connecting Area Neighborhoods in the Amount of $202,260. 

I make a motion to authorize the City Manager to execute a purchase with the Texas Department of Transportation for the Old Custer Road Right-of-Way for the expansion of the Six Cities Trail Plan connecting area neighborhoods in the amount of $202,260.