The Montgomery County Economic Development Authority on an unanounced voice vote approved up to $2,500 for Balzer and Associates to prepare two concept drawings for Lot 3 and received a construction update on Falling Branch Phase 2 Site 2, where wet spring weather has delayed grading.

The motion to approve the $2,500 payment to Balzer and Associates was moved and seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote. A staff presenter said, “The motion is to approve up to $2,500 for Balzer to complete 2 concept drawings on Lot 3.”

The approval follows staff discussion of multiple concept options for Lot 3 and an interest in offering developers incentives by showing alternate parking and split-lot concepts. Staff said one concept provided to the EDA was priced at $12.50 per unit of design work and recommended funding up to $2,500 to produce two full concepts for developer review.

Staff also briefed the board on Falling Branch Phase 2 Site 2, past the FedEx site, reporting that an exceptionally wet May left the site muddy and that recent thunderstorms in June re-activated standing mud. Staff said the contractor requested 11.5 weather days for May; the EDA granted the full 11.5 days and set change order No. 5 to set substantial completion dates consistent with that adjustment. Pay request No. 10 for work on the site was listed as $58,212 and was described as primarily for grading and the water line.

A staff member said town of Christiansburg is performing bacteria testing on the new water line. Staff added that Alacran is proceeding with two buildings on the site—one about 12,000 square feet and one about 17,000 square feet—and that those buildings drain to the Phase 1 stormwater pond near Technology Drive.

Board members asked about remaining inventory after a closed-session item. Staff said the EDA has one 3-acre lot (the lot discussed in closed session) and one 20-acre graded lot remaining; staff noted the authority will be selective about future lot dispositions.

Staff cautioned that the contractor needs approximately four to five consecutive good weeks to complete grading and related work and that continued rain could push completion past the June 30 target for related grant timelines. Staff said they have requested a one-year extension for a $300,000 Go Virginia grant tied to the sewer pump station and that, to date, grant funders have not indicated any clawbacks and there have been no contract cost increases beyond approved change orders.

Moving forward, the EDA will provide developers the two concept drawings for Lot 3 and continue monitoring weather impacts on Falling Branch construction.

Less critical details: staff noted topsoil stockpiles were approved to be stored in front of the site stormwater pond to facilitate drying; aerial photos were taken by the public information officer to document site progress.