Council approves up to $2M reimbursement to Texarkana College for "Assembly Line" business incubator

The Texarkana City Council on Nov. 12 approved a resolution authorizing agreements to support the "Assembly Line" business incubator, including a reimbursement commitment to Texarkana College of up to $2,000,000 and a design‑services agreement with architect Bill Patton not to exceed $40,000.

City Manager Dr. David Orr told council the project, approved as part of the 2023 bond fund, will remodel the old Discovery Place Children’s Museum into "a 2 story business incubator space." He said the project is a partnership that includes Texarkana College, Texas A&M University–Texarkana, the University of Arkansas Hope–Texarkana, Texarkana, Arkansas, and Artex Ready and that the city and Texarkana College previously signed a memorandum of understanding outlining roles.

Under the interlocal cooperation agreement the college will be responsible for construction and the city will assume the project after improvements are completed. Dr. Orr said the resolution also "amend[s] the previously approved design build agreement with Bill Patton to a design services only agreement." The design fee will be deducted from the city's maximum reimbursement commitment to the college.

Council member Thompson moved approval; Council member Matlock seconded. The roll call recorded six votes in favor and one abstention; Council member Jay Davis announced he would abstain. The resolution passed.

Council materials show the reimbursement commitment is capped at $2,000,000 and the amended design agreement is capped at $40,000. No additional conditions or a construction schedule were specified in the council briefing.

The city manager said the agreements are consistent with the earlier memorandum of understanding and with the 2023 bond authorization; council did not direct additional changes to the agreements at the meeting. The resolution now authorizes staff and the city manager to finalize and execute the two agreements.