Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Master Plan topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council OKs $1.5 million design contract for Ford Park master plan
Summary
Latera Studio LLC will produce construction documents and refine a master plan for the 50-acre Ford Park under a $1,495,850 design agreement; staff said the design phase will take about a year and construction is expected in subsequent years.
The Allen City Council on April 20 authorized a $1,495,850 agreement with Latera Studio LLC to advance the Ford Park master plan into construction documents and design development.
Parks and Recreation Director Kate Meacham said Ford Park — a 50-acre, long‑loved community park on the city’s east side — was selected through the bond process and that the master-plan work was the result of robust public engagement. Meacham said the city received more than 400 responses on the Engage platform and that staff has emphasized a data-driven approach to reflect resident priorities.
Michael Black of Latera Studio presented the draft master-plan concepts and design priorities, saying the goal is to retain and improve popular park features rather than to “scrape and burn.” He told the council the design process will focus on better connections across the park, shade, restrooms, an event pavilion, trails and a signature playground; the team proposes phased improvements across Ford East, West, South and North.
Black said the design contract will start immediately; Latera’s timeline anticipates roughly one year for construction documents and then a multi-year construction period. Meacham and Black told council the project budget approved by the voters is $17 million and that the city will return to council for design check-ins before final construction bids.
Council Member Chris Cook moved approval of the Latera Studio agreement; Councilman Tommy Berry seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote.
Council members praised the public-engagement work and asked staff to consider adding additional restrooms and to preserve tree buffers at key locations. Staff said they will return with refined schematics and budget adjustments as design development proceeds.
The agreement authorizes Latera to proceed with the next phase of design and does not finalize construction scope or phasing.
