HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2020-07-758 Change signs for Exit 48A FM 455 and White StreetCITY OF ANNA, TEXAS
RESOLUTION NO. 2020--1-159
•-
WHEREAS, the existing signs on US 75 for exit 48A state "FM 455 Anna -Weston Road," and;
WHEREAS, FM 455 in the City of Anna has been formally named "White Street," and;
WHEREAS, the City is seeking support from elected officials at the State level to direct TxDOT
to change the exit signs to reflect the proper name of the road, and;
WHEREAS, changing the exit signs to reflect the proper name of the road is necessary to
properly honor Charles Ell White, and;
WHEREAS, changing the exit signs to reflect the proper name of the road is beneficial to small
businesses located on White Street, and;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ANNA, TEXAS, THAT:
Section 1. Recitals Incorporated.
The recitals above are incorporated herein as if set forth in full for all purposes.
Section 2. Authorization.
The City Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to sign and issue letters as shown in Exhibit "A"
attached hereto.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Anna, Texas, on this%�-"eay of
I 20A)a
ATTEST:
City Secretary, Carrie L. Smith
APPROVED:
ayor, Nate Pike
THE CITY OF
111 North Powell Parkway Anna, TX 75409
Phone: 97M24-3325 www.annatexas.gov
July 15, 2020
The Honorable Pat Fallon
Texas State Senate, District 30
100 W. Houston Street
Suite #3, 2nd Floor
Sherman, TX 75090
Dear Senator Fallon,
The City of Anna is seeking your support in our request for TxDOT to make a sign change on US
75 at exit 48A in order to properly honor Charles Ell White, whom FM 455 White Street is named
for in the City of Anna.
Mr. White served our Country in World War II as a B-24 pilot in the Army Air Corps. His plane
was shot down over Romania in 1944, and he spent the remainder of the war as a POW in
Bucharest, Romania. Following his distinguished service to our great nation, he returned to Anna,
Texas, where he spent the remainder of his life serving his community as a City Councilman,
School Board Trustee, and volunteer firefighter. Mr. White's contributions to our country and
our community were recognized by the City of Anna when FM 455 was formally named White
Street.
Currently the signs on US 75 for exit 48A state "Anna -Weston Road," which is not the given road
name for this section of FM 455. In our research we have been unable to find any reference to a
formal designation of FM 455 as Anna -Weston Road by Collin County, the City of Anna, or TxDOT.
During the recent widening of US 75 through our community TxDOT did not consult with the City
on the proper name for this exit. In addition, TxDOT does not appear to have considered the
formal name of the road as shown on common transportation apps, such as Google Maps, Waze,
and others. In addition, it appears TOOT did not review the formal addressing of our local
businesses on FM 455 White Street. Had TxDOT considered these important factors, we believe
the signs on US 75 for this exit would have shown White Street instead of Anna -Weston Road.
The City has contacted Texas Department of Transportation Dallas District Engineer Mo Bur and
requested the signs to be changed. Mr. Bur has offered the City with the option to pay to either
replace the signs at a cost of $65,000, or to pay a lesser sum to place a patch on the signs with
the name "White St."
As a community we feel that it is the responsibility of TADOT to make this correction with the
means, methods, and funds they have available.
In addition to our desire to honor Charles EII White, we are deeply concerned regarding the
impact the current signage has on our local businesses.
All of the small businesses located on FM 455 White Street in Anna carry the formal address name
of White Street. We are very concerned that the confusion brought about by the current signs
will negatively impact traffic to our small businesses when motorists do not see the road name
they are looking for on exit signs. This may create missed opportunities for our local businesses
to provide sales and service to customers outside our community.
Supporting our small businesses is a priority for the City of Anna, and we fully recognize your
unwavering commitment to supporting all small businesses in our great State. Given the current
situation regarding COVIDA9, we want to make sure small businesses receive all the support
available.
We respectfully request your support and assistance in making this simple, yet important change
to the signs on US 75 for exit 48A. Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter. We
greatly appreciate your service to our community.
Respectfully submitted,
Nate Pike, Mayor
THE CITY OF
111 North Powell Parkway Anna, TX 75409
Phone: 972-924-3325 www.annatexas.gov
July 15, 2020
The Honorable Scott Sanford
Texas State House, District 70
115 West Virginia Street
Suite #103
McKinney, Texas 75069
Dear Representative Sanford,
The City of Anna is seeking your support in our request for TxDOT to make a sign change on US
75 at exit 48A in order to properly honor Charles Ell White, whom FM 455 White Street is named
for in the City of Anna.
Mr. White served our Country in World War II as a B-24 pilot in the Army Air Corps. His plane
was shot down over Romania in 1944, and he spent the remainder of the war as a POW in
Bucharest, Romania. Following his distinguished service to our great nation, he returned to Anna,
Texas, where he spent the remainder of his life serving his community as a City Councilman,
School Board Trustee, and volunteer firefighter. Mr. White's contributions to our country and
our community were recognized by the City of Anna when FM 455 was formally named White
Street.
Currently the signs on US 75 for exit 48A state "Anna -Weston Road," which is not the given road
name for this section of FM 455. In our research we have been unable to find any reference to a
formal designation of FM 455 as Anna -Weston Road by Collin County, the City of Anna, or TxDOT.
During the recent widening of US 75 through our community TxDOT did not consult with the City
on the proper name for this exit. In addition, TxDOT does not appear to have considered the
formal name of the road as shown on common transportation apps, such as Google Maps, Waze,
and others. In addition, it appears TxDOT did not review the formal addressing of our local
businesses on FM 455 White Street. Had TxDOT considered these important factors, we believe
the signs on US 75 for this exit would have shown White Street instead of Anna -Weston Road.
The City has contacted Texas Department of Transportation Dallas District Engineer Mo Bur and
requested the signs to be changed. Mr. Bur has offered the City with the option to pay to either
replace the signs at a cost of $65,000, or to pay a lesser sum to place a patch on the signs with
the name "White St."
As a community we feel that it is the responsibility of TxDOT to make this correction with the
means, methods, and funds they have available.
In addition to our desire to honor Charles EII White, we are deeply concerned regarding the
impact the current signage has on our local businesses.
All of the small businesses located on FM 455 White Street in Anna carry the formal address name
of White Street. We are very concerned that the confusion brought about by the current signs
will negatively impact traffic to our small businesses when motorists do not see the road name
they are looking for on exit signs. This may create missed opportunities for our local businesses
to provide sales and service to customers outside our community.
Supporting our small businesses is a priority for the City of Anna, and we fully recognize your
unwavering commitment to supporting all small businesses in our great State. Given the current
situation regarding COVID49, we want to make sure small businesses receive all the support
available.
We respectfully request your support and assistance in making this simple, yet important change
to the signs on US 75 for exit 48A. Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter. We
greatly appreciate your service to our community.
Respectfully submitted,
Nate Pike, Mayor
THE CITY OF
111 North Powell Parkway Anna, TX 75409
Phone: 972-924-3325 www.annatexas.gov
July 15, 2020
The Honorable Justin Holland
Texas State House, District 33
101 E. Rusk Street
Suite #201
Rockwall, TX 75087
Dear Representative Holland,
The City of Anna is seeking your support in our request for TxDOT to make a sign change on US
75 at exit 48A in order to properly honor Charles Ell White, whom FM 455 White Street is named
for in the City of Anna.
Mr. White served our Country in World War II as a B-24 pilot in the Army Air Corps. His plane
was shot down over Romania in 1944, and he spent the remainder of the war as a POW in
Bucharest, Romania. Following his distinguished service to our great nation, he returned to Anna,
Texas, where he spent the remainder of his life serving his community as a City Councilman,
School Board Trustee, and volunteer firefighter. Mr. White's contributions to our country and
our community were recognized by the City of Anna when FM 455 was formally named White
Street.
Currently the signs on US 75 for exit 48A state "Anna -Weston Road," which is not the given road
name for this section of FM 455. In our research we have been unable to find any reference to a
formal designation of FM 455 as Anna -Weston Road by Collin County, the City of Anna, or TxDOT.
During the recent widening of US 75 through our community TxDOT did not consult with the City
on the proper name for this exit. In addition, TxDOT does not appear to have considered the
formal name of the road as shown on common transportation apps, such as Google Maps, Waze,
and others. In addition, it appears TxDOT did not review the formal addressing of our local
businesses on FM 455 White Street. Had TxDOT considered these important factors, we believe
the signs on US 75 for this exit would have shown White Street instead of Anna -Weston Road.
The City has contacted Texas Department of Transportation Dallas District Engineer Mo Bur and
requested the signs to be changed. Mr. Bur has offered the City with the option to pay to either
replace the signs at a cost of $65,000, or to pay a lesser sum to place a patch on the signs with
the name "White St."
As a community we feel that it is the responsibility of TxDOT to make this correction with the
means, methods, and funds they have available.
In addition to our desire to honor Charles EII White, we are deeply concerned regarding the
impact the current signage has on our local businesses.
All of the small businesses located on FM 455 White Street in Anna carry the formal address name
of White Street. We are very concerned that the confusion brought about by the current signs
will negatively impact traffic to our small businesses when motorists do not see the road name
they are looking for on exit signs. This may create missed opportunities for our local businesses
to provide sales and service to customers outside our community.
Supporting our small businesses is a priority for the City of Anna, and we fully recognize your
unwavering commitment to supporting all small businesses in our great State. Given the current
situation regarding COVIDA9, we want to make sure small businesses receive all the support
available.
We respectfully request your support and assistance in making this simple, yet important change
to the signs on US 75 for exit 48A. Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter. We
greatly appreciate your service to our community.
Respectfully submitted,
Nate Pike, Mayor