(Rockwall) September 29, 2012 – After 14 years as Rockwall City Engineer, Chuck Todd has retired, effective September 28. Chuck joined the City of Rockwall in 1998. During his tenure, Chuck has managed over $82 million in voter approved roadway improvements, many of which have had a dramatic effect on transportation in our hometown.
The most significant projects include Ralph Hall Parkway, North Lakeshore Drive, Summer Lee Drive, Industrial Blvd, and John King Blvd. Additionally, he saw the city through TxDOT improvements on SH 66, SH 205, FM 740 North and FM 740 South, which is nearing completion. Many smaller street projects were completed as well, including Clark Street, Fannin Street, Ross Street, Sam Houston Street, Townsend Drive, Yellowjacket Lane, Shoreline Trail, Shadydale Lane, Ranch Trail, Tubbs Road and White Road.
“I am looking forward to retirement after 14 great years working at the city,” Chuck said. “At this time I don’t plan to work. I have projects around the house that will keep me busy for months. I have about a years’ worth of honey-dos!”
Chuck managed over $40 million in water and wastewater improvements, including Springer Road and North Country Lane Water Towers. He also supervised the $17.5 million city investment in The Harbor entertainment district.
The 1979 Texas Tech University graduate named John King Blvd as the most notable project he oversaw in the last 14 years. “It came in on time and under budget, and it was over seven miles long,” he said.
Chuck will leave to his successor the 2012 voter approved bonds for projects designated to improve several downtown roadways, City participation in FM 3097 and the FM 3549 Overpass, numerous street rehabilitation projects, and other projects to allow for continued improvement in traffic flow and growth in Rockwall.
Assistant City Manager Brad Griggs described his friend as the “stereotypical engineer” with the exception that he is an avid outdoorsman with a great sense of humor. “Chuck is typically the smartest person in the room,” said Brad. “When he says there’s no way he will ever fly in a plane, I really start to question why I would too.”
Those “honey-dos” aside, Chuck said retirement means more time to visit the mountains, camp and fish. “I may do something after next summer if I’m bouncing off the walls,” he noted. His plans include traveling with his wife Debbie, who works for the Plano Independent School District, during school breaks. Already on the agenda is a five to six week trip next August when they will visit Alaska– camping most of the time.
Mr. Todd was an integral part of the City’s development team during his time at City Hall. He was instrumental in helping to achieve many of the high quality commercial and industrial developments such as the Plaza Shopping Center, Rockwall Crossing Shopping Center, The Harbor, Bimbo Bakery, the SPR manufacturing facility and the L-3 facilities. Chuck has also been involved in helping to create outstanding residential communities that have developed in Rockwall over the years including several phases of the Shores, Stone Creek, Dalton Ranch, and Castle Ridge. Planning Director Robert LaCroix praised him by saying “Chuck’s contributions to the City have made tremendous impacts to our quality of life and we are thankful for his tireless and diligent attention to the details. We will certainly miss Chuck as a member of our development team and hope the best to him on his next adventure”.
Describing Chuck as a great engineer, City Manager Rick Crowley said, “The City has benefited greatly from his service during times of significant growth. We wish him the best in his upcoming retirement.”
Chuck grew up in San Angelo. He and his wife are the parents of one son, Tyler, a student at Colorado StateUniversity in Fort Collins. Prior to working for the City of Rockwall, Chuck worked in Oregon(“on the coast”) for two years. He has also worked for the cities of Plano and Grapevine and as a consulting engineer for the City of Dallas.
Submitted by Judy Evans.
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