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Paddock outlines FY26 priorities: Breezy Hill expansion, irrigation RFP, facades and capital projects
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Summary
Paddock staff presented a draft three-year program and FY26 priorities including Breezy Hill Park enhancements (closing a portion of Polk Street, adding 25–30 head‑in parking spaces and a splash pad), a rebid of athletic-field smart irrigation, and increased funding for façade/awning work downtown.
Paddock staff presented a proposed set of FY26 budget priorities and three‑year downtown and park projects and asked the board for direction on next steps.
Raelynn, Paddock staff, reviewed a list of capital projects that the board has discussed over several meetings. Key items included a Breezy Hill Park enhancement that would close a portion of Polk Street to expand green space, add about 25–30 head‑in parking spaces on adjacent blocks and move ahead with surveying and design; a proposed splash pad between the Jamie Fox basketball courts and a new baseball field; and design and engineering for those items with construction to be considered as a future budget amendment.
On parks operations, staff said the athletic-field smart irrigation project has an RFP schedule: legal notices published May 17, May 24 and May 31, with a bid opening on June 3, Park Board consideration on June 12, Paddock on June 13 and City Council action planned for June 17. Staff noted a prior single bid for irrigation was much higher than expected, so the work may be phased to improve pricing.
Staff also proposed a larger façade/awning program for downtown — estimating $6,000 per awning with a goal of installing a number of awnings and carrying a façade reimbursement fund (staff suggested increasing the façade budget to $150,000 to fund awnings and retain $75,000 for regular reimbursements). Raelynn described pairing awning work with rear‑access retail improvements for South Alley and said detailed line items would return to the board once pricing is available.
Why it matters: The packages aim to invest Paddock sales‑tax proceeds in downtown and park capital improvements intended to support events, day‑to‑day downtown vibrancy and safety.
Budget and timing details: Staff said the engineering funds are in place for Breezy Hill design and that construction costs would be brought forward later as a budget amendment so the board could choose to spend cash on hand rather than include full construction in FY26. On Breezy Hill, staff anticipates surveying and tree analysis as immediate next steps; staff proposed bollards or a drive lane for emergency access and said permanent head‑in parking would be at least asphalt. The board asked staff to coordinate with the Breezy Hill Association and property owners as project designs proceed.
Process and follow-up: Staff will return with surveys, line‑item pricing and a complete streets briefing (traffic study) so the board can consider how traffic‑calming and parklets might fit into the street‑level design and FY26 budget.
