Johnson Road project breaks ground; traffic impacts start next week

Work started this week on Johnson Road between Hallelujah Trail and Rhonda Road as crews kick off a $7.24 million project that will reconstruct the two-lane road, replace water lines, upgrade the drainage system to curb-and-gutter, add a sidewalk on the south side of the street, and convert the Johnson/Keller-Smithfield intersection into a roundabout.

If you were not able to attend the Dec. 14 public meeting about this project, here’s what to expect:

- The entire project is expected to take about 18 months, wrapping up in June 2024.

- North/south movement on Keller-Smithfield through the Johnson intersection will remain open throughout the project (often using temporary pavement) to ensure access for first responders working out of Fire Station 2.

- Work will start on the west end of the project with water line replacements, moving east. Once water lines are complete, work will move from east to west as the contractor converts bar-ditch drainage to curb-and-gutter.

- Residents within the construction zone will have access to their properties, as will CWD, USPS, other delivery drivers, etc. throughout the project. East-west thru traffic will often be limited, with detours directing drivers south to Keller Parkway or north to Bancroft or Florence, depending on which section of the project is under construction.

Our first full road closure associated with this project is expected to begin Tuesday, Jan. 17. Johnson Road will close to thru traffic between Hallelujah Trail and Keller-Smithfield Road, with detours using Ottinger Road/Bancroft Road/Bourland Road as well as Rufe Snow Drive/Keller Parkway.

That closure to thru traffic may end up lasting several months, depending on the impact of the heavy equipment on that section of pavement; we will have a better sense of that timing once work is underway and will continue to provide updates throughout the project as closures and detours change.

For more information about the Johnson Road project and its lengthy history, visit www.cityofkeller.com/johnson.

KPD accepting applications for 2023 Citizens Police Academy

Citizens interested in learning more about the Keller Police Department will have the opportunity this February. The department's next Citizens Police Academy class - which serves as a pre-requisite for joining the Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) unit - kicks off Wednesday, Feb. 1, and runs from 6:30-9:30 p.m. every Wednesday for 11 weeks at KPD headquarters 330 Rufe Snow Drive. 

To join the class, download an application at www.cityofkeller.com/CPA or pick one up from the police station during regular business hours.

Applicants must be 21 or older, living or working within the Keller or Westlake city limits, and have no felony arrests on their record or any arrest in the last five years. We will accept applications until the class fills. Once the 2023 class is full, applicants will be placed on a waiting list to be the first notified of registration for the next year's course.

For more information, contact Officer Michael Fejes at 817-743-4533 or [email protected].

Community event to feature MLK Jr. re-enactment on Monday

As we look ahead to next week and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we invite you to join The Specs Movement for their annual MLK Speech on the Steps celebration. This free event features a live MLK re-enactment, music, words of encouragement from community leaders, scholarship awards to deserving Keller ISD students, and the chance to meet and unite with your neighbors. We’ll see you at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, here on the steps of Keller Town Hall, 1100 Bear Creek Pkwy.

Next 'Family Fit Night' set for Monday

Let’s kick off the new year right with a family fitness night for the whole community!

Ages 7 and up can participate, all fitness levels are welcome, and it’s free and open to the public. Outlaw Fit Camp Keller will lead this month’s gathering, so bring a towel, an exercise mat, and water because you’ll need it!

We’re meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, at the Keller Senior Activities Center, 640 Johnson Road, Building C. The first 10 people to show up will receive a free Keller Parks and Recreation blanket.

Final leaf collections added Jan. 14, Jan. 21

As our residents continue to rake, CWD has decided to add two final dates to their special leaf collection schedule. Sign up by noon on Friday, Jan. 13, to participate in the Jan. 14 collection, and sign up between Sunday, Jan. 15, and the end of the day Wednesday, Jan. 18, for the last collection on Jan. 21.

Learn more and get your home on the list at www.cityofkeller.com/leaves

Mark your calendars: Artists' reception planned for Jan. 19

Currently on display at Keller Town Hall is a collaborative art collection titled “Conversations in Thread.” Crafted by 11 Fort Worth Weavers Guild members, this exhibit features an eclectic combination of color, texture and scale.

You are invited to join us at the Keller Public Arts “Evening with the Artists” reception at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, at Keller Town Hall, 1100 Bear Creek Pkwy. At the gathering, you can view the artwork, meet the artists who created it and enjoy some light refreshments.

If you can’t come to the reception, don’t worry; the art will remain on display until Feb. 23.

For more information about the current exhibit or the Keller Public Arts program, visit www.cityofkeller.com/publicarts.

Coming Soon: A House With Books

You’ll soon be able to pick up your next favorite read a little closer to home; a bookstore is coming soon to Keller Town Center!

A House With Books is set to open in February at 1101 Bear Creek Pkwy., Ste. 3123. The independent bookseller will share its suite with the city’s first co-working space — Headquarters, which we’ll share more about soon — and will offer fiction and nonfiction for all ages as well as bookish gifts and a selection of houseplants and home décor items.

Owner Hayley Smith is a professional interior decorator with a love for reading and tea, which will be served complimentary at the new venture. She also runs a popular Instagram account with the handle (what else?) @ahousewithbooks, though that title referred to her own home before she decided to open the store.

“This is a lifelong dream,” she said. “I think independent bookstores are important for communities, and I’m so excited to serve Keller in that way and have a spot here that people can be proud of.”

Smith says she is looking forward to getting to know her Keller neighbors’ reading tastes and helping them pick the perfect selections; in addition to her own stock, she will be able to order anything her customers desire. She is also planning to start a book club out of the shop, offer Saturday morning story time, and take advantage of their location overlooking the Keller Town Hall east lawn by participating in community events.

When its doors open next month, A House With Books will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Smith expects to expand her hours in the fall once her youngest heads to school. Learn more and keep up with the latest shop updates at ahousewithbooks.com. 

Fishing event invites children to catch rainbow trout

Later this month, grab your fishing rods and head over to the Bear Creek Park Pond! Our first Fishing for Fun event of the new year is set for 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, on-site at 400 Bear Creek Park Road.

Aimed at inspiring a love for fishing in children, this event, in partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, is free for anglers 16 and younger. The pond will be stocked with rainbow trout, and we’ll be giving away prizes in a number of competitions.

Attendees should bring their own supplies, and participating children should have an adult buddy. (Please note that children 16 and younger do not require a fishing license; if accompanying adults plan to fish personally, they will need a valid fishing license from TPWD.)

Save The Date: Daddy Daughter Dance

We cordially invite all the kings and their little queens to our Royal Ball-themed Daddy Daughter Dances set for Friday, Feb. 3, and Sat., Feb. 4.

This party is open to young ladies ages 4 to 12, regardless of where they live, so invite your friends to ball out with you in the new and spacious Keller Senior Activities Center (640 Johnson Road, Bldg. C).

Registration is $20 per person, and the dress code is formal unless you dress to the theme. A professional photographer will be on hand for paid portraits.

Friday, Feb. 3
6-7:30 p.m. (4-7 years old)
8-9:30 p.m. (8-12 years old)

Saturday, Feb. 4
6-7:30 p.m. (4-7 years old)
8-9:30 p.m. (8-12 years old)

Space is limited, so get your tickets now!

For more information, call Keller Parks and Recreation at 817-743-4050 or email [email protected].

- Now Hiring -

The City of Keller is searching for talented people! Click on any position below to learn more and submit your application.

Animal Control Officer II
Customer Service Technician
Facility Maintenance Worker
Heavy Equipment Operator
Library Director
Library Technician
Maintenance Worker - Parks
Maintenance Worker - Streets/Storm Drainage
Maintenance Worker - Streets
Program Coordinator
Water/Wastewater Maintenance Worker
Water/Wastewater Maintenance Worker II

The Keller Pointe
Building Maintenance Technician
Lifeguard - Afternoons
Lifeguard - Mornings

Recreation Assistant

The City of Keller is an Equal Opportunity Employer

- Upcoming Public Meetings -

Jan. 16
Economic Development Board - CANCELED

Jan. 17
Keller City Council

Jan. 24
Planning & Zoning Commission

Feb. 1
Senior Citizens Advisory Board

Feb. 6
Library Board

Feb. 7
Keller City Council

Feb. 8
Public Arts Board

Feb. 14
Planning & Zoning Commission

Public meetings take place at Keller Town Hall
unless otherwise noted.

- Pets Of The Week -
These pets are looking for their new forever homes now at the Keller Regional
Animal Adoption Center at KPD, 330 Rufe Snow Drive. Click photos for details.