District reviews $2 million parking-lot plan to create new car and bus lots; bus lot prioritized for winter plug-in needs

Connon C USD 464 staff on July 14 presented design renderings and rough budget estimates from DLR Group for two parking-lot projects: a new 250-space car lot intended to become the primary parking area for the recreation commission and a secured, concrete bus lot designed to accommodate more than 30 buses and provide winter plug-in capacity. Staff said each lot carries a preliminary budget estimate of about $1 million, for a combined project estimate of roughly $2 million. District staff said that figure comes from DLR Group’s budgetary analysis and that the number would be refined in the next design phase; board members were told the projects would primarily draw from existing bond contingency funds the district has reserved from previous projects. The bus lot was described as the more urgent priority because it would allow the district to move bus fueling and operations onto a single, gated site with block-heater capacity for winter plug-in. The proposed design shows concrete paving for buses, a relocated fuel tank, an 8-foot perimeter fence with sliding gate access, and space organized so each bus could be plugged in if needed. Staff said the car lot would likely be asphalt and serve as the recreation commission’s primary lot while moves to reassign staff and district vehicle parking to other lots. Staff cautioned the board that the renderings were conceptual and that DLR Group’s next step would be to produce construction drawings and an RFP. A contract would be required to move into that phase. Staff suggested returning to the board in August to seek authorization for the next design/contract step, with selection of a construction contractor targeted for September or October if timelines align; actual construction, they said, could occur the following spring or summer depending on weather and contractor availability. Board members asked operational and design questions, including heater placement that could affect future lot expansion, sidewalk connections from district office to new parking, and whether to separate the two lots into distinct procurement packages. Staff and a board member recommended future-proofing by adding conduit and wiring now to avoid later rework. No vote to begin the RFP process or to enter a contract with DLR Group was recorded at the meeting; staff requested board direction on appetite for moving to the next phase and noted the district had roughly $2.5 million remaining in bond contingency overall, which would be reduced if the projects proceeded at the $2 million estimate.