Threadgill Park parking study finds environmental hurdles and high per-space estimates; council takes no action

City staff presented a cost and feasibility summary for creating roughly 30 right-of-way parking spaces along Calhoun and Hickory at Threadgill Park and recommended no immediate action after enumerating environmental constraints and cost estimates.

Staff said the surface work alone for the 30 spots was estimated in the staff presentation as "somewhere around" an amount stated in the packet (the figure in the oral presentation was unclear). More detailed elements provided by staff included a Phase I environmental review estimated at about $5,000, a potential Phase II environmental study that could run $20,000–$50,000 depending on findings, and stormwater conveyance redesign costs estimated in the $40,000–$50,000 range.

Because delineated wetlands are present on the property, staff said wetland mitigation would likely be required and, in this watershed where a mitigation bank is not available, mitigation alone could range from about $200,000 to $300,000. Based on those factors, staff presented a high-level all-in per-space estimate in the range of $15,000–$20,000 per parking spot and said permitting through the Army Corps of Engineers could add two years or more to the schedule.

Council members were presented with the option to take the next steps but several members noted the high costs and long timeline. The council agreed to take no action on the right-of-way parking at this time and left the matter at status quo while staff continues work toward a separate option for 70-plus spaces on another parcel; staff and the city attorney reported the seller had rejected a proposed extension and there was no current contract on the other property.

No binding action to pursue the right-of-way construction was taken.