Council awards Chadbourne Street Phase B contract; TxDOT grant covers pedestrian amenities

The San Angelo City Council voted 7‑0 Sept. 2 to award the Chadbourne Street Phase B rehabilitation project to Rees Albert Inc., authorizing base bids and alternates totaling $13,288,242.06 contingent on TxDOT concurrence and related documents. The work continues a storefront‑to‑storefront overhaul begun in Phase A and will extend the corridor to Loop 306 and the river.

City staff said the project will rehabilitate sidewalks, streets, lighting and pedestrian amenities, and included public art elements and bike racks similar to Phase A. Staff told the council that Texas Department of Transportation pedestrian grant (TASA) funding — roughly $18.4 million awarded earlier for a larger sidewalk and pedestrian program — will pay for pedestrian amenities in Phase B; about $4 million of the TASA award is expected to cover the pedestrian components of this phase. The city’s street bond funds would pay the roadway portion only.

Two bids were received; Rees Albert was the lowest responsive bidder. The base bid, alternates and a $500,000 contingency produced an overall project estimate the city reported as approximately $13.2 million. Staff estimated a 24‑month construction timeline and said the city will perform inspections and project oversight in‑house rather than rely on an outside consultant, a change from prior practice. Staff also said the project design and prior coordination with TxDOT mean risk of large unforeseen change orders is reduced compared with earlier projects, though the contingency remains to cover necessary adjustments.

Council members raised concerns about business access and phasing during construction and asked staff to communicate closely with downtown merchants. Staff said the project will be phased block‑by‑block, include signage that businesses remain open and apply lessons learned from Phase A and other recent projects to reduce disruption. Work will include moving some overhead utility lines into alleys or underground where feasible; however, staff said constraints near the loop will leave some overhead lines in place.

Why it matters: The award funds continuing downtown reinvestment intended to support businesses, improve pedestrian safety and enhance the visitor experience along a core corridor. The TxDOT grant reduces the city’s direct spending on amenity elements and leverages state/federal funding for pedestrian infrastructure.