11 - Contract with Toole Design Group for conceptual design of 1st Street SE from Lamar to Clarksville Street

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Item No. 11 TO: Mayor & City Council Grayson Path, City Manager FROM: Carla Easton, PE, Engineering & Community Development Director SUBJECT: 1sT STREET SE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN — TOOLE DESIGN GROUP DATE: August 24, 2020 BACKGROUND: The comprehensive plan and the Downtown Visioning Plan prepared by the Toole Design Group in 2018 recommends a transformation of 1St Street SE to a walkable street with pedestrian amenities, lighting, and utility improvements from Lamar to Clarksville, with the intention of creating an outdoor venue space coordinated with surrounding vendors and businesses. Since the adoption of the downtown plan, there has been a significant amount of private investment into revitalizing downtown buildings. One specific project is 37 Clarksville St located at the northeast corner of Clarksville and 1St SE. Walt Reep is completely remodeling the building to include a first floor retail store, basement venue space, and second story loft apartments. In addition to the building remodel, he has a vision to create outdoor gathering and dining space in the alley and onto 1" SE, as recommended in the city plan. As such, Mr. Reep has asked to partner with the city to develop a concept design for the reconstruction of 1St SE. Because the city project is not yet funded, staff does not have anything conceptual for Mr. Reep to use in coordination of his project. However, we do intend to pursue funding opportunities through the TxCDBG Main Street Program in hopes of funding improvements next year. However, a design next year will not help Mr. Reep to meet his own project deadlines for the building remodel. He has proposed a 50/50 cost share for the conceptual plan in order to coordinate with his improvements at 37 Clarksville St. STATUS OF ISSUE: The Toole Design Group has submitted a proposal in the amount of $13,600. Mr. Reep has donated $6,800 towards this effort. Staff is prepared to expedite this conceptual design once a contract is executed. BUDGET: Funds are available in the Community Development budget in unexpended funds for 2020. RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the city manager to execute a contract with Toole Design Group for a conceptual design of 1St Street SE from Lamar to Clarksville in the amount of $13,600.