Council awards $720,120 federal‑funded design contract to Kimley‑Horn for Parker Road/Main Street conceptual study

Parker Town Council on Aug. 4 awarded a design contract to Kimley‑Horn in the amount of $720,120 to study and provide a 10% conceptual design for operational improvements at the Main Street (east‑west) intersection with State Highway 83 (Parker Road). Staff said the project revisits alternatives in the 2019 Parker Road corridor plan and refines a recommended displaced-left-turn concept to address forecast congestion, safety and pedestrian/bicycle connectivity. Mary Mudakana (staff presenter) told council the town secured a federal Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) award of $500,000 with a $250,000 local match for a total $750,000 project budget. Two firms responded to the request for qualifications; Kimley‑Horn scored highest in the evaluation and staff negotiated a scope and fee within the available budget. The firm will perform feasibility analysis and a 10% conceptual design that staff said will inform future, more detailed engineering work and support coordination with CDOT and property redevelopment partners if options are advanced. Why it matters: Parker Road (State Highway 83) is a regional arterial; travel demand increases have created corridor constraints at downtown intersections. Staff emphasized this is a planning-level step to refine alternatives and create actionable conceptual designs for future capital phases; councilmembers noted the study will help future councils and staff prepare as redevelopment and traffic growth occur. Council action: Council approved the contract award unanimously and noted this project uses federal grant funds to advance planning. What’s next: Kimley‑Horn will begin the feasibility and concept design; staff will return to council with findings and recommended next steps, including potential preliminary design and funding strategies for construction if the displaced-left concept is advanced.