La Porte RDC extends Newport Landing due diligence, schedules special meeting to open sewer bids

The La Porte Redevelopment Commission on April 30 approved an amendment extending the due-diligence period in the purchase agreement with M Details LLC for property in Newport Landing and scheduled a special meeting to open bids for the Newport Landing sewer extension.

Attorney Hagenau told the commission the amendment changes an automatic 30-day extension the buyer held to a 90-day extension, effectively adding 60 days and pushing due diligence through July. The amendment was presented as the only substantive change to the purchase agreement; commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the amendment.

Separately, staff said there was a scheduling and advertising confusion about when bids were due for the Newport Landing Sewer Extension project. Because the bids arrive before the commission’s next regular meeting, staff asked the commission to hold a special meeting to open and accept the quotes. Commissioners agreed to schedule the special meeting at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, to open bids and to act as needed to move the project forward; several commissioners said the meeting would be short and only for bid opening. Staff explained that if the commission did not hold a special meeting, the project could be delayed by about 30 days.

Approval of payment for sanitary sewer improvements in Newport Landing was not approved at the April 30 meeting; staff said the payment item would be handled at the special meeting and is therefore tabled pending that meeting.

No public comment was received on Newport Landing items. Staff said the due-diligence extension stems from the developer’s need for time while finishing another project, and that there were no land-related surprises prompting the extension.