City council approves up to $1.32 million contract for RiverStage upgrades

The San Angelo City Council on March 7 approved a cooperative purchase not to exceed $1,320,000 for modifications to the Bill Aylert Senior Memorial RiverStage and authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute related documents.

City Construction Manager Al Torres briefed the council on the project and said staff expects to complete purchasing and begin on-site work in less than a month, with total construction time estimated at about six months once work starts. The contract is a cooperative purchase through BuyBoard No. 728-24.

Councilmember Lucy made the motion to approve and Councilmember Harry seconded. After a brief public-comment period, the council voted 6–0 to approve the consent item for construction services and site work. Several council members sought assurances that events scheduled at RiverStage would continue during construction; Torres said staff and the contractor will coordinate around events and avoid closing facilities during scheduled performances and will address ADA access issues in later phases.

Supporters in the audience thanked the council for ADA improvements and asked about the timeline and funding for a planned second phase. Staff said design work for phase 2 will return to council in upcoming meetings and that funding for design is expected to be in place so construction drawings can be prepared next.

The contract award will allow staff to begin negotiations and execute the construction contract. Staff said they will return with phase-B design documents in subsequent meetings for council consideration.