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Downtown holiday decorations: Friendswood Downtown EDC to buy $401,595 lighting and a 40‑foot tree
Summary
Friendswood Downtown Economic Development Corporation will purchase holiday decorations, including a walk‑through 40‑foot tree and pole decorations, for $401,595.50; council approved the FDEDC purchase.
The Friendswood City Council on May 5 approved the Friendswood Downtown Economic Development Corporation’s plan to purchase downtown holiday decorations, including a 40‑foot walk‑through Christmas tree and pole decorations, for a total purchase price of $401,595.50.
Rebecca Hillenburg, chair of the Friendswood Downtown EDC (FDEDC), told the council that the package covers ownership of the decorations, storage and labor and that the organization negotiated the price with Decralight Industries Incorporated through the BuyBoard cooperative. Hillenburg said the tree has an expected useful life of 8 to 10 years and that leasing options examined were substantially more expensive over a five‑year horizon.
FDEDC representatives said the project will be funded from the downtown sales‑tax allocation (an eighth‑cent sales tax) the corporation administers. Hillenburg said the downtown fund currently collects about $80,000 per month. The purchase will allow the downtown district to own the decorations rather than lease them, the presenters said.
Council members expressed support; one council member noted the timing is advantageous because some existing park decorations are at the end of their useful lives. City staff confirmed the FDEDC purchase request required council approval and the council voted unanimously to authorize the purchase. The action approves the purchase arrangement through the BuyBoard; details on installation and storage were discussed as part of the presentation but will be coordinated by city staff and FDEDC.
