Council approves Thompson Engineering selection and $100,000 transfer for Flying Creek Nature Preserve

The Fairhope City Council on April 14 approved the selection of Thompson Engineering to provide landscape architectural services for Phase 2 of the Flying Creek Nature Preserve and authorized a $100,000 budget transfer from the general fund to the capital projects fund to cover signage and furnishings.

Mayor Sherry Sullivan told the council that Thompson Engineering has worked on Phase 1 and was the evaluation team’s selection for Phase 2; grant funding of about $1,200,000 (described in the meeting as GOMESA funding) is identified to cover Phase 2. City staff said the first phase of the preserve is scheduled to open in June or July 2025 and that some items — signage, furniture for an added classroom and covered deck — were not covered by the grant. To ensure the park can open on schedule, the council transferred $100,000 into capital projects to cover those costs.

Council members voted unanimously to authorize the mayor to negotiate the Phase 2 contract with Thompson Engineering and to approve the budget transfer. Staff said the negotiated fee will return to council for formal approval before execution.

Why it matters: Flying Creek is a multi‑phase park project funded in part by grant dollars. The council’s transfer covers immediate outlays needed for the planned public opening while Phase 2 proceeds through design and grant‑funded delivery.

What’s next: Staff will return a negotiated, not‑to‑exceed contract for Thompson Engineering for council approval and issue purchase orders for signage and furniture ahead of the planned park opening.