To: Mayor and City Council
From: Robert Ranc, City Manager
OCTOBER 24, 2025
October 25: Battle of the Badges Blood Drive (2:00 - 9:00 PM, Downtown Square)
October 25: Beware! of the Square (4:00 - 9:00 PM, Downtown Square)
October 29: Coffee with the Contractors (9:00 AM, 112 N. Arizona Dr)
We are excited to be hosting our annual Beware! of the Square event on Saturday, October 25, from 4:00 to 9:00 PM. This festive celebration brings our community together for an evening of family-friendly fun, creative costumes, and lively activities that highlight the energy and spirit of our historic Downtown Square. In addition, Carter BloodCare will be onsite for our annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive - we encourage everyone to stop by and take part in this important community effort.
City staff are closely monitoring the weather forecast, as heavy rain is currently anticipated for Saturday. Inclement weather contingency plans are in place and will be implemented as needed, depending on the severity of the conditions. We will continue to keep the community informed on the status of Beware! of the Square through official City communication channels.
Swinerton, our general contractor, continues to make steady progress on both the Downtown Center and Parking Garage projects.
PARKING GARAGE: Levels 1 through 3 of the Parking Garage are now open for public use. Level 4 will remain closed until the summer of next year to accommodate the safe dismantling of the tower crane. Minor punch list items and final cleanup activities are ongoing and are expected to be completed within the next few weeks.
DOWNTOWN CENTER: At the Downtown Center site, all perimeter basement walls are scheduled to be poured today. Underground plumbing backfill and fine grading for the slab-on-grade are also underway and will continue through tomorrow. Formwork and rebar installation are planned to begin next week, marking continued progress toward the structural phase of the project.
The current closure of Choate Pkwy, which extends from Timberidge Dr to FM 2478, will be expanded westward to include the section from Timberidge Dr to Coit Rd. This closure is necessary to facilitate the reconstruction of
Phase 1 of the Choate Pkwy Roadway Improvement Project. Construction is anticipated to last approximately three to four months, weather permitting.
During this period, the E. Outer Loop will serve as the designated detour route. Access to the Amavi and Wilson Creek Meadows subdivisions will remain available from Coit Rd, while residents of the Ten Mile Creek subdivision will continue to have access via FM 2478. The contractor will actively manage all traffic control measures throughout the duration of the project to ensure safe and efficient travel in the area.
• Location: Choate Pkwy – Coit Rd to FM 2478
(Weather Permitting)
• Start Date: October 27, 2025
• Estimated End Date: January 31, 2026
• Local traffic only between Coit Rd and FM 2478
• Traffic control will be actively monitored and adjusted as needed throughout the project
Nouveau Construction has been contracted to complete the roof replacement on the pavilion at Founders Park. Weather permitting, work is scheduled to begin this Friday, October 24. Once underway, the project is expected to take approximately three to four days to complete. This improvement will enhance the structural integrity and appearance of the pavilion, ensuring it remains a safe and welcoming amenity for park visitors and community events.
The Celina Public Library is pleased to announce the expansion of its early childhood programming this fall, providing the community with additional opportunities to visit and engage in educational and entertaining activities.
In addition to Miss Moncé’s established Tuesday Toddler Time and Wednesday Baby Storytime, the Library will now offer Toddler Time on Mondays and a Preschool Storytime on Thursdays with Miss Jackie. These expanded offerings are designed to accommodate more families and provide consistent opportunities for early learning and social interaction. Residents are encouraged to consult the Library’s monthly calendar for specific dates and times to select sessions that best fit their schedules.
Swinerton will host its next Coffee with the Contractors on Wednesday, October 29, at 9:00 AM at their field office, located at 112 N. Arizona Dr. As construction continues to advance on the Downtown Center project, this event serves as a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to engage directly with project managers and team members. Attendees will receive important updates on the progress, timeline, and next steps for this key development in the heart of Downtown Celina.
Quality Excavation, the prime contractor, in coordination with Sign Manufacturing, the sign fabrication subcontractor, is scheduled to begin work on the masonry portion of the Annex Building sign on Monday, October 27, weather permitting. Work in this area may result in limited mobility or minor delays at the northeast entrance of the building where the sign is to be installed.
The Celina Police Department’s Mental Health Unit is proud to announce the expansion of the Take Me Home Program, made possible through the generosity of two valued community partners - the Celina Police Foundation and the Celina Chamber’s Ladies of Influence (CLOI).
Together, these organizations have funded the new “Stevie–STIM Bags,” specially designed kits that provide officers and first responders with tools to comfort children or individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities during stressful or crisis situations. Each bag includes a soft “Stevie” sloth plush for comfort, noise-canceling earmuffs for sensory relief, and a selection of STIM-based fidget toys for calming engagement.
The Celina Police Foundation generously funded the first eight bags to initiate the program, and CLOI recently donated $1,920 to fund an additional eight. These bags will be strategically placed throughout the community, including patrol vehicles, fire stations, and Celina ISD elementary schools, equipping first responders with resources that promote compassion, understanding, and care in every interaction.
The City is pleased to announce the addition of four new employees to the Celina Police Department this week. Their hiring reflects the City’s continued commitment to supporting public safety and meeting the needs of our growing community. In addition, the Development Services Department celebrated the well-deserved promotion of one of its dedicated team members, recognizing their exemplary service and leadership.
As part of the continued progress on the DNT Phase 4A project, construction crews will soon implement targeted lane closures to support key project activities. These closures are necessary to facilitate the transport of topsoil, conduct mass haul operations, perform area cleanup, and set structural beams. It is important to note that full closure of the left lanes is not anticipated. Efforts will be made to ensure that lane closures are coordinated to prevent conflicts within overlapping work zones.
Monday, October 27, through Saturday, November 1:
• The northbound and southbound left lane of Dallas Pkwy from First St to FM 428 will be closed daily from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
Wednesday, October 29, through Friday, October 31:
• All lanes of eastbound and westbound Light Farms Way between northbound and southbound Dallas Pkwy will be closed daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Wednesday, October 29, through Saturday, November 1:
• All lanes of eastbound and westbound Frontier Pkwy between northbound and southbound Dallas Pkwy will be closed nightly from 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
Wednesday, November 5, through Friday, November 7:
• All lanes of eastbound and westbound Light Farms Way between northbound and southbound Dallas Pkwy will be closed daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The City ‘s Road Closures Resident Map serves as a crucial tool for residents to remain informed about ongoing projects and associated road closures within the city. This comprehensive resource empowers individuals to plan their travel routes effectively, minimizing disruptions caused by construction activities. By clicking on the map or accessing the link above, residents gain access to the full interactive map, ensuring easy navigation and timely updates on the evolving infrastructure projects throughout Celina.
[ CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ROAD CLOSURES MAP ]
