Council approves design contract for Jimmy Johnson Boulevard extension; owner to donate right-of-way
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Summary
Council authorized a $395,000 engineering agreement to design the Jimmy Johnson Boulevard extension after a property owner confirmed he will donate the corridor needed for the roadway; the vote passed on a roll-call tally.
The Port Arthur City Council on Tuesday approved a professional engineering contract not to exceed $395,000 for design and specifications to extend Jimmy Johnson Boulevard from the Southeast Texas Medical Center area to Park Central Boulevard near FM 365.
The council vote followed public clarification that the land needed for the extension will be donated by the private owner. Anthony Leger and property owner Mark Vernon told the council the owner will convey roughly seven acres for the right-of-way at no cost to the city. "He is the owner of the property and is still in favor of donating this portion of his property for the extension of Jimmy Johnson," attorney Anthony Leger said from the podium.
The resolution (PR24485) directed staff to execute an agreement with South Tech surveyors and engineers to produce construction drawings and related deliverables for the roadway. The council approved the measure by roll call: Council member Rebecca Beckham voted yes; Mayor Pro Tem Mary Doucette voted no; Council member Frank voted yes; Council member Hamilton Everfield voted yes; Council member Kinlaw voted yes; Council member Lewis voted no; and Mayor Charlotte Moses voted yes. The tally was five in favor, two opposed.
Several council members sought clarity about ownership and whether the city would be expected to contribute funds beyond the design contract. The city manager and the owner—s representatives said the owner had cleared and prepped acreage and intends to invest further for internal access roads; the city will fund the design from the street-improvement capital account. Council members asked staff to continue documenting the land transfer and to present expected tax revenue and development scenarios in follow-up materials.
The item cleared a key procedural step: the design contract will allow staff to proceed with engineering and to return to council later with construction-cost estimates and required easements or deeds. Council members said they want clear written documentation of the donation before committing construction funds.