The Kennedale City Council on Aug. 5 authorized the city manager to execute a design‑phase contract with Speed Fabcrete and Callahan & Freeman Architects for the Kennedale Sports Complex, approving $87,500 to advance design to the 50% level and require the firms to produce a guaranteed maximum price for construction within the city’s $3,000,000 bond allocation. The motion, made during discussion of agenda item authorizing design‑build services, passed unanimously with four affirmative votes and one councilmember absent.

City Manager Daryl told the council the two‑step design‑build approach would first produce a 50% design and cost estimate; if the estimate fits the city’s bond budget, the council could then approve a construction contract. ‘‘Once we complete the 50% drawings, I’ll bring back a contract saying I will do it all for x dollars,’’ said Mitch Onzick of Speed Fabcrete, explaining that the 50% milestone enables civil engineering and a guaranteed maximum price. Architect Alan Huckaby of Callahan & Freeman Architects told the council the preliminary drawings were developed with the $3,000,000 budget in mind and that the design will be presented as a ‘‘shopping list’’ of elements the city can prioritize.

Council members repeatedly asked about cost controls and whether the initial designs represented a ‘‘moon’’ plan that would need to be cut to fit the bond. City officials clarified the $3,000,000 is the project limit under the 2023 general obligation bond allocation for the sports complex; Speed Fabcrete and Callahan said they would price options so the city could decide which elements to include. The city manager said the requested authorization is to spend $87,500 on design services and that he would return with the 50% design and an estimated total project cost at a future council meeting.

The motion approved by council specified the $87,500 design authorization and was made subject to legal review; the city attorney advised adding a legal review condition. The council’s action authorizes the manager to move to the design phase but does not bind the city to a construction contract beyond the $3,000,000 bond limit until a future vote. Council members emphasized safeguards: stop‑points during design development, a return to council for approval of a construction contract, and options for scaling the project to fit the bond.

The contract selection followed the city’s RSQ procurement process. Callahan & Freeman provided the preliminary design; Speed Fabcrete will carry design‑build responsibilities if negotiations finalize. The city manager said Speed Fabcrete is a local firm with prior city work and that the team’s local experience was a factor in selection.