Live Oak EDC reports near-complete gateway monument at RBFCU site and updates on TxDOT triangle sign

Donna Lauder, EDC staff, told the Live Oak Economic Development Corporation on May 27 that a gateway monument on Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union property is “99.9% done,” and provided an update on a separate, 15-foot freestanding monument being built at the TxDOT Pat Booker triangle.

Lauder said the RBFCU monument began under a 2023 easement agreement with Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union and that the city and RBFCU agreed the bank would allow use of a corner of its property for the sign, landscaping, irrigation and electrical service. “We have chosen Abilar Inc. to do that project and they started back in October of 2024,” Lauder said. She told the board the only remaining work on that site is relocating a chain-link fence so the city can access and maintain the monument.

The EDC funded the projects through a $200,000 LOADC allocation. Lauder said the Pat Booker triangle project was approved by the city and state in September 2024 and that the city passed a related funding ordinance (identified in the meeting as Ordinance 1658) to budget $200,000 for the work.

On the TxDOT triangle, Lauder described a 15-foot freestanding pillar that will display the city seal in a lighted box at the top with backlit lettering down the sides. “On the top is the seal. It’s gonna be a box that has a light coming through that and upward. Down the sides, it’s gonna have backlighting where our swish and the word Live Oak is coming down on each of the sides so all of that’s gonna be lit in a LED,” she said, adding the installed lighting will be white only unless the city approves additional funds for color capability.

Lauder described construction sequencing for the TxDOT monument: survey and electrical work, footings and rebar, followed by successive concrete pours. She said the contractor had begun work in May and that the project team was targeting completion in mid-July. “They’re setting the actual pillar as it tapers up. So those pours will be this Thursday and the last pour will be next Thursday making that whole entire pyramid,” Lauder said.

Lauder said TxDOT completed perimeter landscaping and paver work on all four corners before the city’s build started, and that Live Oak will repair any TxDOT-owned features if they are damaged during construction. She said the pillar will be veneered in limestone and that the city has installed irrigation and electrical at the RBFCU corner and at the Pat Booker site.

Board members asked about lighting, maintenance and potential color-changing lights. Director Talgren asked about the cost and whether the monument could have color-changing lights so the display could be changed for events and awareness campaigns; Lauder said she could get cost estimates and that adding color capability would likely be a change order. Director Simmons asked about ongoing maintenance; Lauder and other staff said the city would maintain both monuments under the existing easement and TxDOT maintenance agreements and that the EDC would request budget authority for continued upkeep.

No motions or votes were taken on the monuments during the presentation. Earlier in the meeting the board approved the consent agenda by voice vote, 4-0; the motion was seconded by Director Simmick.

Lauder opened the presentation for questions when she finished. Board members praised the design and said they were looking forward to seeing the finished monuments.