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Council approves additional design contracts as downtown construction begins
Summary
Council authorized additional design services contracts for downtown infrastructure after bids and a redesign split the work into two projects; construction staging has started and temporary parking impacts were noted.
The Tyler City Council on Sept. 10 authorized the city manager to execute additional design-service contracts for downtown infrastructure improvements and heard an update that construction activity and staging had begun downtown.
Darren (staff member) told the council the downtown renovation project was split into two coordinated contracts after an initial multi-phase bid approach proved impractical for contractors. The city separated infrastructure work — streets, water, sewer and storm drainage — from site improvements and community-space design. The split allowed the city to use bid results on infrastructure to inform the budget for site improvements.
Darren said the site-improvement scope was reduced from $7,000,000 to $5,000,000 to match available budget after the infrastructure bids and that the overall project is approximately $35,000,000. He told the council that design revisions and additional bid-phase services required extra design work.
Council authorized additional design services with Fitzpatrick for $616,300 and with HAP for $1,192,100 to support the downtown infrastructure improvements. Darren said the combined design fees remain within industry norms and noted Fitzpatrick’s fee equates to about 4.8% of construction cost while another consultant’s fee is about 8.6% of construction — both inside expected ranges for a project of this complexity.
Darren also said construction has started: contractors have established work areas and fencing, with staging and a construction office on site. He warned that parking downtown has already tightened and encouraged patience as crews begin brick removal, water-line replacement and sidewalk work. Early work was described as beginning around College Avenue with water-line and brick-street removal; the plan includes cleaning and replacing brick, making ADA updates to sidewalks and completing tie-ins and stubs necessary for phased construction.
Councilmember Haines moved to authorize the city manager to execute the additional design contracts; Mayor Pro Tem Nichols seconded the motion. The motion carried by voice vote.
The council’s action authorized the contracts and directed staff to proceed with the revised design and construction phasing; further contract administration and construction oversight will be executed by city staff.
