Schertz officials, residents spar over Dove Meadows street project delays
Residents described months of dust, debris and damaged property as Schertz officials acknowledged contractor problems in Dove Meadows.
SCHERTZ — The Dove Meadows street rehabilitation project was supposed to fix aging roads. Instead, residents told city council they have spent months dealing with torn-up streets, dust, damaged property and uneven communication.
At the March 3 Schertz City Council meeting, Assistant City Manager Kathy Woodlee said the contractor's subcontractor removed curbs, sidewalks and other infrastructure faster than replacement work could keep up. That left parts of the neighborhood torn up for weeks.
The work is part of a broader 2024 street rehabilitation contract covering St. Andrews, Dove Meadows, Silver Tree and Maple Drive. Woodlee said the notice to proceed was issued in September 2025 and the contractor has until July 17, 2026, to finish the job.
Woodlee told council the city is frustrated but limited by the contract terms. "There's really technically nothing that we can do to force them to speed up," she said, adding that the city will not accept the job until the problems are addressed.
City staff acknowledged a long list of complaints, including debris left in staging areas, damage to sprinklers and some driveways, topsoil placed over leftover debris, and notices sent to residents by a subcontractor without city approval.
Council members who visited the neighborhood said the conditions were unacceptable. Council member Michael Guerrero called it "a complete mess." Council member Sheridan raised safety concerns about debris and exposed hazards near areas where children walk to school.
A Dove Meadows resident told council she and her neighbors have dealt with dust-related respiratory irritation, repeated tire damage, landscaping issues and falls in active work areas. She said residents are compiling documentation of the damage.
City Manager Steve Williams said residents have a right to be upset. He estimated the overall project cost at about $6 million during the meeting and said the city needs to tighten contract language on future street projects.
Woodlee said paving had been expected in early March, weather permitting. That timeline may shift because of rain.
Mayor Ralph Gutierrez said the city needs to learn from the project and do better on the next one.
