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Welcome to the Buzz
The "Bedford Buzz" e-newsletter is a publication of the Bedford Communications Division. If you have any questions about the Buzz, please email public.info@bedfordtx.gov.
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Starting on Tuesday, September 3, both the Brown Trail and Russell Lane/Ravenswood Drive projects will be moving to Phase 2 of construction. We’re about to throw a lot of information your way, so PLEASE take the time to read these details regarding each project.
Brown Trail
On Tuesday, the northbound lanes of Brown Trail, between Cheryl Avenue and Bedford Road, are closed while crews install a new water and wastewater main. Northbound drivers will need to take an alternative route, from Hurst Drive to Russell Lane/Ravenswood Drive. Southbound lanes will remain open during this project. Please view the attached map for the detour route.
Construction along this portion will last approximately four months. The good news – no additional work will happen along Brown Trail until the road is repaved (as part of a grant with Tarrant County). A timeline for paving has not been scheduled, at this time.
Russell Lane/Ravenswood Drive
Crews will continue work on replacing a water line along Russell Lane and Ravenswood Drive, from Phyllis Street to Bedford Road. Southbound drivers will need to take an alternative route, from Brown Trail to Hurst Drive. Northbound lanes will remain open during this project. Please view the attached map for the detour route.
Crews anticipate this work to be completed within two months. Additional good news – all work along Russell/Ravenswood will be completed, after this project wraps up.
In addition, the City plans to distribute doorhangers to residents immediately impacted by the detour changes along Ravenswood, before Phase 2 construction begins.
Phyllis Street Reconstruction
Beginning on Monday, September 16, crews will begin a complete reconstruction (water, sewer, and paving) on Phyllis Street, from Brown Trail to Ravenswood Drive. This project is anticipated to take approximately 150 days (5 months) to complete, weather permitting.
Residents along Phyllis Street will receive doorhangers prior to the beginning of construction with additional information. During construction, residents will be able to enter and exit their driveways. Cross streets will also be accessible throughout the project for residents that live off of Dora Street and Glenda Drive, north of Phyllis Street.
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We understand the inconvenience these road closures and construction projects cause, and appreciate everyone working with us as we continue to make improvements and update our critical infrastructure.
During construction, PLEASE observe all barricades, warning signs, and flagmen to help facilitate safe traffic flow and a safe work environment for everyone. Additional information on these projects is also posted on the City’s website at www.bedfordtx.gov/construction. For questions, please email public.works@bedfordtx.gov.
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Have you ever been driving around Bedford, saw a construction site, and wondered what’s being built there? We’ve got a new map for that! City staff created a new interactive Development Map located at www.bedfordtx.gov/developmentmap.
Using the interactive features, users can see projects that are construction pending, under construction, in design, or recently completed at various locations in the city. If you click on each location, you’ll also be able to see additional details about each project. This page will continue to be updated by staff as new projects are added or a project’s status has changed.
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Heads up, drivers! The City of Euless started the reconstruction of Pipeline Road on August 26. Crews are starting at the Raider Drive intersection in Euless, and traffic will be reduced to a single lane in both directions, which will cause traffic delays.
The contractor has 16 months to complete this project, but the final product will be a brand-new concrete road. Since the City of Euless will oversee this phase of the project, please go to the Euless construction webpage for more information.
Bedford’s sweetest new hangout spot is NOW OPEN!
Located at 2101 Harwood Road (in the Kroger shopping center), Pokey O's Cookies & Ice Cream - Mid-Cities offers a variety of ice cream flavors, fresh baked cookies, cappuccinos, affogato (espresso with ice cream on top), as well as custom ice cream sandwiches. The process is easy – choose your cookie, with options like semi-sweet chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, sugar, tuxedo, state fair (their version of a “kitchen sink” cookie) and more. Then, choose your ice cream, with flavors including vanilla, mint chocolate chip, birthday cake, coffee, chocolate, strawberry, and salted caramel brownie.
The Bedford location is open Tuesday - Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Learn more online at https://pokeyos.com/.
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 We have a winner! The Cultural Arts Advisory Board chose Dallas artist Jessica Bell’s sculpture design as the winning entry from the many incredible submissions the City received over the past several months for a new sculpture at Generations Park at Boys Ranch.
Bell’s design includes three 10-foot-tall green branches of leaves, that curve downward. At the base of the leaves, there will be several blue sculptural rocks for people to sit on, with solar lights spotlighting the sculpture at night. The leaves will have small holes in them, that will create small rays of light on the sitting area. The sculpture will be located in the rock circle (sometimes referred to as “Bedford Stonehenge”) near the lake pavilion within Generations Park at Boys Ranch.
Jessica said she was inspired by the graceful form of the Texas Fern tree and her design is meant to capture the essence of nature and organic forms within Generations Park at Boys Ranch. The rock sculptures are crafted from composite decking material, to mitigate the Texas heat, while the leaf canopy will be constructed from perforated metal.
Work on installing the sculpture at Generations Park at Boys Ranch is already underway! The entire installation is expected to take approximately 10 weeks, with a completion this fall. The City does plan to hold an unveiling ceremony that will be open to the public. Additional details will be released when available in the coming months.
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Clear the Bedford Animal Shelter Event
 The annual Clear the Shelters event kicked off this week at the Bedford Animal Shelter, where adoptions are $50 all month long!
If you’d like to view adoptable animals at the shelter, visit www.bedfordtx.gov/animals. The shelter is open Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shelter staff can be reached during business hours at 817-952-2191 or via email at animal.services@bedfordtx.gov.
If you’re unable to adopt a pet right now, but would like to donate to their care, the Shelter’s wish list is available at www.bedfordtx.gov/wishlist.
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Register Your Block Party for National Night Out
 Block parties and hanging out with first responders? Count us in! On Tuesday, October 1 from 5 to 8 p.m., the Bedford Police Department invites all Bedford neighborhoods and homeowner associations to participate in National Night Out, a cohesive effort to promote crime prevention, police-community partnerships, and neighborhood unity.
If you register a block party, you’ll also be eligible to receive visits from members of the City Council, Police Department, and Fire Department! Registration forms are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 13. To register your block party, visit www.bedfordtx.gov/nationalnightout.
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In August, a citizen reported she received a phone call from an individual claiming to be a Bedford Police Officer. During the call, the individual stated the victim’s daughter was in a car accident and was being held on bond. Shortly after, the same victim received another phone call from an individual claiming to be an attorney needing money for the daughter’s bail and stating they would send a courier to pick up the money.
Just a reminder, Bedford Police Officers will NEVER call and ask for money or your financial information. If you receive a call like this from someone identifying themselves as a member of our department and think it could be legitimate, please get their name, rank, and badge number. Then call 817-952-2127 (non-emergency number) and ask Dispatch to connect you with the officer. Otherwise, please hang up the phone and call us to report the attempted fraud.
If something ever seems a little fishy to you, here are a few tips to make sure you stay protected:
- Don't trust caller ID - it's not always who it says it is!
- If the individual or organization seems suspicious, make sure the request is legitimate by calling your bank through an official number from their website.
- Don't share personal information or codes based on a call you receive.
- Don't be pressured to act immediately on something.
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Crafty Cinema Night – Thursday, September 12
Prepare to embark on a cinematic journey unlike any other! Join the City and Bedford Movie Tavern for some movie magic and a DIY project. At the Bedford Movie Tavern, we’ll be screening the much-anticipated “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” movie and leaving the lights on, so participants can also work on a craft of their choosing! Crafters can bring whatever they choose to work on – coloring books, needle-felting, knitting, scrapbooking – you name it! Ages 12 and up are welcome to attend. Register online at https://bedfordtx.gov/events.
Dog Days of Summer – Saturday, September 14
Join us with your pup for a showing of "Scooby-Doo" (2002) starting at sunset on the outdoor movie screen at the Bedford Bark Park, 3200 Meadow Park Dr. Complimentary popcorn and Scooby snacks will be provided, while supplies last. The event will also feature vendors, an ice cream truck (with pup-friendly ice cream), and a donation station for the Bedford Animal Shelter.
Pumpkin Needle Felting Class – Wednesday, September 18
Join us for a needle felting class at Turning Point Beer (1307 Brown Trail) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Using a special needle, attendees will poke loose wool fibers repeatedly to mesh and compact them, creating a wool pumpkin. The class is $12 to attend (you’ll get to take home your finished pumpkin). For an additional $8, you’ll also get to take home all art supplies (needle felting tool, finger guards, foam block, and additional wool). This class is for ages 12 and up. Register online at https://www.bedfordtx.gov/events.
Fall Concert Series feat. Forever Mac – Friday, September 20
Bring your lawn chair and blanket, play some lawn games with the kiddos, and listen to live music from Forever Mac, a Fleetwood Mac cover band from 6 to 9 p.m. at Generations Park at Boys Ranch, 2801 Forest Ridge Dr. All ages are welcome. This concert is rescheduled from the May 24 Bedford in Bloom concert. Live music will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Fall Concert Series feat. Hard Nights Day – Friday, October 4
Bring the family out to Generations Park at Boys Ranch (2801 Forest Ridge Dr.) from 6 to 9 p.m. for lawn games, food trucks, and music from Hard Nights Day, The Beatles tribute band. All ages are welcome. Live music will begin at 7:30 p.m.
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Do you have a general question related to code enforcement, economic development, trash/recycling, parks, etc.? Ask us! Each month, we’ll feature at least one question from “Bedford Buzz” subscribers from the previous issue. Submit your questions at www.bedfordtx.gov/questions.
QUESTION: Is it possible for the city to (or request) change the traffic signals timing at exits off of Highway 121/183 that's associated with the current TEXpress Lanes expansion project? When a driver exits the highway, most had access to the separate U-turn Lane which didn't require a motorist to go through the light to make a left turn. By the time the driver gets to the light, the turn-only green arrow (protected turn) changes to green (unprotected/yield). This causes a traffic back-up.
ANSWER: As you may know, the City of Bedford does not control the light timing at these intersections. However, City staff has discussed these concerns regarding the increase in traffic due to the inaccessible U-Turn lanes and the need for updated traffic signal timing with North Tarrant Express, TxDOT, and the contractor performing the work on the highway. Unfortunately, timing plans take a lot of studies before they are changed. The City will continue to work with TxDOT on these issues and hope to have the issue resolved for better traffic flow.
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Resident Photo of the Month
 CREDIT: Carol Polio
A gorgeous Texas sunset on August 4, at the intersection of Harwood Road and Shady Grove Drive.
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Have a photo of you enjoying Bedford? Whether it’s enjoying Generations Park at Boys Ranch or in your own backyard, send your best shot to public.info@bedfordtx.gov and it could be featured in an upcoming issue of “Bedford Buzz.” Please make sure your photo is family-friendly, recently taken in Bedford, and everyone prominently featured in the photo is OK with becoming Buzz-worthy.
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