Lake Havasu City Council OKs Phase 2 design work for Environmental Learning Center

The Lake Havasu City Council voted 6-1 on Oct. 22 to approve Amendment No. 1 to the architectural services agreement with Jones Studio Inc., authorizing phase 2 design work for the proposed Environmental Learning Center and allowing Pillar 4 to use remaining America's Best Communities (ABC) Vision 2020 funds to complete that work.

Council approval advances design development and a marketing/fundraising package for a facility envisioned as a regional clearinghouse for Colorado River research, water-quality laboratory space and visitor amenities. Supporters said phase 2 is needed to produce renderings, floor plans and cost estimates that potential funders and partners require.

City Manager Jess Knudson introduced the item and described the project’s origin in the community-led Vision 2020/America’s Best Communities work. Charlie Cassens, identified in the meeting as the Pillar 4 spokesperson, told the council phase 2 will use information from the feasibility study and visioning sessions to produce the master plan, phasing and a marketing package to solicit partners and grants. “Phase 2 will actually give us the collateral materials that we need and answer all of the unanswered questions,”…