Collin County building projects staff presented a two-phase landscape and trail master plan for the Bloomdale campus that lays out proposed trails, site furnishings, retention ponds, native plantings, and pedestrian connections to US-75 and the future 380 corridor.

Sandeep Khaturiya, director of building projects, said the design teams (PGL and TNP landscape architects) proposed primary and secondary entrances, a trail alignment that continues to the northeast portion of the campus, stormwater retention areas designed to address existing floodplain issues, and a planting palette intended to reduce long-term maintenance.

"This design concept balances aesthetics and functionality," Khaturiya said, noting the plan emphasizes stormwater management and native landscaping to reduce maintenance needs.

Several commissioners voiced reservations about locating active public trails adjacent to the jail and courthouse expansion. "I'm not very much in favor of this effort. I think that the people that most likely to use our trail is actually people who've been just released from jail," said one commissioner, who cautioned about security and maintenance of retention ponds. Staff responded that the trail was routed to the far side of the creek to preserve visual separation from detention facilities and that sidewalks will improve pedestrian safety where none currently exist.

No action was requested or taken; staff said the project will move forward in design and that procurement and construction timelines were being developed.