Due to conflicts with the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) proposed IH-35 NEX Northbound Frontage Road project, the City of Schertz must relocate the existing Riata Lift Station and associated sewer mains.  The relocated improvements will be shifted approximately 60 feet away from the existing frontage road and will be located within a new site for the lift station and easement for the gravity and force mains leading to and from the lift station from Fairlawn Avenue.

In order to relocate the lift station and associated sewer mains, property and easements will need to be secured adjacent to the existing site and out of conflict with the TXDOT widening.  It has been determined that 0.6174 acres would need to be purchased to meet the new lift station site requirements, along with 0.2965 acres for a permanent easement and 0.2480 acres for a temporary construction easement for the sewer mains.

TXDOT’s appraisal revealed an unadjusted square footage value range of $4.28 - $7.50.  Permanent easements were estimated to have a 90% of purchase price value and temporary easements 10%.  On April 25^th, Staff briefed Council on the property.  Council authorized Staff to negotiate with the property owner to acquire the property. 

The City’s on-call engineer and right-of-way agent began negotiations with the property owner to acquire the property.  Our agent was able to secure an agreement to purchase the property and easements.  With closing costs and surveying the acquisition has a not to exceed cost of $300,000.

As is typical with utility relocations along interstate facilities necessitated by TxDOT improvements, the cost is fully reimbursable.  Responsibilities of the City and TxDOT related to this relocation are outlined in a Standard Utility Agreement (SUA) funding reimbursement.

The purchase of property and easements will allow for the relocation of utilities and the continuation of sewer service to residents and businesses along the IH 35 corridor.