What is the proposed Douglass Utilities Project?

In response to community requests, the City of Plano has been working toward burying the overhead utility service lines in part of the Douglass Community to update the physical quality of the neighborhood. In February 2026, an engineering firm completed a feasibility study for the project. The study recommends converting the existing overhead Spectrum lines to underground along F, G, and H avenues between 11th and 12th streets. The study also recommends removing the obsolete Frontier and Spectrum lines overhead.

What work is proposed?

If approved, the plan would be to move the Spectrum service lines underground along F, G, and H and to remove the obsolete Frontier and Spectrum overhead lines in those locations. Frontier service has already been buried, so the non-functional overhead lines will just need to be removed.

At this time, there is no plan to bury the Oncor cables. Doing so would require larger rights of way and extensive infrastructure planning before the Oncor lines could be buried, and the City currently does not have funding for the Oncor lines.

If approved, how would the work be funded?

The City is planning to use existing Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding. To use existing HUD funding for this project, the City would have to submit documentation called a Substantial Amendment to the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and 2025-2026 Action Plan (Substantial Amendment) to HUD with information about the project.

A Substantial Amendment process involves the following steps:

1. City staff present the proposed Substantial Amendment to City Council during a Preliminary Open Meeting.
2. After Council provides initial approval to proceed, City staff provide notice to the public for 30 days. During the 30-day notice period, the public can submit comments via mail, email, or phone.
3. City staff present the Substantial Amendment to City Council for final approval, along with any comments received during the notice period. The public can also comment at this meeting.
4. If Council approves, City staff submit the Substantial Amendment to HUD for review and approval, which can take up to 45 days.
5. While HUD is reviewing the Substantial Amendment, the project goes through environmental review.
6. Once HUD approves the Substantial Amendment and the project clears environmental review, the project is bid out to contractors via the utility providers.
7. Work begins once a contractor is chosen.

Will my utility service be impacted?

Your utility service should not be impacted while the work is being completed. The contractors would connect the new lines before retiring and removing the old ones. If you live in the utilities project area, contractors might need to access your yard to run the lines underground and connect them to your house.

How might the work impact the neighborhood?

While the work is being completed, you might see some disruption to traffic on the street and you might experience some noise during the day. The contractors would probably need to use heavy machinery to create space for the service lines underground. If the project is approved, the City will do its best to coordinate with the contractors, the utility providers, and residents to keep residents informed of disruptions.

How long will it take?

The HUD substantial amendment process will take approximately 3 to 4 months including City Council review and environmental review. However, it could take longer if additional environmental assessments are needed.

The City expects that the work could begin in November if each step proceeds as expected.

Who should be contacted with issues or questions?

Comments regarding the 2026-2027 Action Plan and Substantial Amendment to the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and 2025-2026 Action Plan should be directed to Sandra Ottinger, Housing and Community Services Manager, 777 E. 15th Street, Plano, TX 75074, Phone: (972) 208-8150, Email: sottinger@plano.gov. Comments received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026, will be provided to City Council. Comments may also be made at the public hearing on Monday, July 27, 2026, to be held at 7:00 at the Plano Municipal Center, 1520 K Ave, Plano TX 75074 in the Senator Florence Shapiro Council Chambers.

If you notice issues with your phone, internet, cable, or other utility service while the work is being completed, please contact your utility provider directly.

If you experience issues with the work or traffic, please contact City of Plano Neighborhood Services at best@plano.gov or 972-208-8150.