EDC shifts streetscape scope toward community center, approves termination of Kimley‑Horn contract and schedules Nov. 18 workshop
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Summary
The Montgomery EDC discussed a revised downtown streetscape design that moves aesthetic and hardscape work toward the city-owned community center, approved terminating the existing Kimley‑Horn contract, and scheduled a November 18 workshop to review revised scope and architect qualifications.
At its Oct. 21, 2025 meeting the Montgomery Economic Development Corporation discussed a revised scope for the downtown streetscape project that would concentrate hardscape and aesthetic design work around the city-owned community center rather than in the middle of McGowan/McAllen Street. The board approved directing staff to terminate the existing contract with Kimley‑Horn (the engineering/architectural team referenced in the packet) and asked staff to bring a revised scope and qualifications for proposed professionals to a special workshop scheduled for Nov. 18, 2025.
Staff described the revised approach as a two‑phase program: Phase 1 would cover utilities, paving and hardscape work; Phase 2 would focus on landscaping and streetscape amenities once the community center work is ready. Staff said concentrating work on the city-owned parcel reduces the need to negotiate private easements and should simplify permitting and right-of-way issues that complicated earlier plans.
Board members discussed the community center’s interior condition, including the presence of mold, and asked staff to provide cost estimates for interior renovation versus demolition and rebuild options. Staff said they were collecting prices for interior remediation and renovation and would present cost comparisons and architect/landscape-architect qualifications at the November workshop.
The EDC also approved a motion authorizing the city administrator to terminate the contract with the Kimley‑Horn team (the contract had been routed through a third party identified in the packet). Staff told the board the contract could be stopped and that the EDC should receive the work product prepared to date; the board voted to terminate the agreement and to move forward working with in‑house staff and pre‑vetted professional teams. The board asked staff to return reissued RFQ/RFP materials and team qualifications at the November workshop so members could vet proposed architects and landscape architects before final selection.
The board and staff agreed to schedule a workshop for Nov. 18, 2025 to review revised designs, vendor/architect qualifications, and the project budget before advertising the project for bid and before presenting expenditure requests to the city council.
