Council approves HDR design contract for downtown sidewalk project; engineering cost exceeds original estimate

The Wimberley City Council on Jan. 16 approved a professional services agreement with HDR Engineering for design of a downtown sidewalk project tied to the TxDOT alternative grant program.

City staff and Gilpin Engineering representatives told the council that the design fee exceeded earlier estimates. Staff gave the original engineering budget as about $250,000 and said the final negotiated fee is "about 46 over" that estimate; the council discussed using ARPA funds to cover the difference and staff said they would return for a budget amendment only if the overrun exceeded available ARPA funds.

Ryan Bell of Gilpin Engineering and HDR representatives explained that TxDOT now requires a 30% design submittal that was not anticipated when the budget was set, and that the downtown setting and right‑of‑way constraints add complexity and cost. Council members raised questions about specific safety locations along Ranch Road 12 — including a blind corner at Blue Heron — and staff said design could evaluate intersection geometry and coordination with property owners, but that changes outside the current scope would add cost and potentially delay the project.

Council members also confirmed the sidewalk alignment does not extend to the river; staff said it stops short at the TxDOT‑defined cutoff but will be designed so a future extension is possible.

A motion to accept HDR’s professional services agreement passed unanimously.

Ending: Staff said the project is an 80/20 construction match under the TxDOT program and that proceeding with HDR avoids additional delay; engineering work will continue while staff coordinates scope and right‑of‑way issues with TxDOT and property owners.