$4.2M could boost park amenities

• One of the newest amenities of Lakeside Park is a manmade sandy beach area. The Marble Falls EDC is proposing an investment of millions of dollars into upgrades and additional amenities at the same park. File photo

Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation board agreed in principle to spend big bucks for several additions to Lakeside Park.

During the June 5 meeting at city hall, the board authorized EDC President Steve Reitz to sign a contract not to exceed $4.2 million to enhance architecture, fences, irrigation, pavements, planting, landscape, pedestrian services, utilities and several other improve - ments at the park. Pending review of the contract by the city attorney, Myers Concrete Construction LP could agree to perform the work.

Most of the funding for the job will come from bonds issued during 2016 and 2021, according to EDC Executive Director Christian Fletcher.

Several months ago, original, unofficial guesses for cost of the

work soared as high as $18 million, Fletcher recalled.

"We all got sticker shock when that esti - mate came in initially," Fletcher said.

Before the directors voted for the park con- tract during the meeting, Myers Operations Manager Chase Botkin offered a bid of more than $4.6 million to undertake the job.

The offer prompted directors Judy Miller, Ryan Nash, John Packer, Lindsay Plante and Mayor Dave Rhodes to enter a detailed discus- sion for several min utes, focused on the potential need for “value engineering," which could sort out unneeded fixtures or too-expen - sive materials for the park before work be gins there.

In particular, Nash expressed concern over the price tag for installation of a babbling brook, an electrical control room and a pe - destrian bridge at the park, all of which could cost a combined amount above $500,000.

“I don’t think we should pull the trigger on this until we have more of an end game in sight,” director Nash said.

As Packer examined the Myers proposal, he also expressed reservations regarding how much money ought to be spent and how much work ought to be done to renovate the park.

At one point, Botkin addressed the board.

“We are very open to any kind of value engineering,” Botkin said.

Also, Fletcher vouched for the Myers firm, citing its experience, responsibility, reputation for honest negotiation and willingness to offer customer satisfaction.

“They have been very accommodating,” Fletcher said.

After discussion with City Attorney Josh Brockman- Weber, the board opted to seek a bid of $4.2 million for the work. The joint decision calmed the chamber.

“I would like to get it (the park improvements) going,” Packer said, before the vote.

No date has been set for completion of the Lakeside Park project, Fletcher told The Highlander.

Turning to another matter, after little discussion, the board accepted the low bid of $49,000 from the Luck Design Team to provide base mapping, construction and site plan document preparation services for improved parking spaces at Avenue J and Yett near Lakeside Park and the new hotel conference center.

Groundbreaking for the new center is expected to occur sometime during late July, Fletcher added.

Also during the meeting, City Secretary Christina McDonald administered the oath of office for another term to board Vice President Mark Mayfield, Packer, Nash and Rhodes, who is on the EDC board as the city council representative. Reitz was absent, apparently on vacation in Spain, according to an aside uttered by one of the directors.