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Residents press council over Midtown Park spending as city outlines boardwalk construction timeline
Summary
Residents criticized Midtown Park development and a $8,009,119.94 change order; city staff said pre-construction work for the boardwalk has begun, the lake is being drained for construction, and well locations for water supply have been staked.
Residents at the March 27 Bryan City Council meeting pressed elected officials for more transparency about Midtown Park construction and a reported $8,009,119.94 contract change order for work at the park.
"Contract for $8,009,119.94. What does that bring the total to at Midtown Park?" asked Patrick Jim Alba of 213 Fairway Drive during the council's public-comment period. Alba questioned whether promised amenities — including a large lake, nature trails and a "super park" with water attractions — were still part of the plan and asked why the city appeared to keep adding concrete, streets and parking to the site.
City staff, earlier in the meeting during the city manager's report, said a pre-construction meeting for the Midtown Park boardwalk project was held with the contractor and that the contractor was draining the lake so construction could begin. Staff said work may begin this month and finish as early as October. The city also said it has staked well locations for Midtown Park water-well work, and that those well projects are expected to begin this month and continue into the fall.
The council did not take any formal action on the Midtown Park contract or change order at the meeting. Residents who spoke urged more public meetings and greater disclosure of final project costs and designs; one commenter proposed reallocating a line item he said existed in the budget.
Why it matters: Midtown Park is a major city capital project that residents say has affected nearby neighborhoods during prolonged construction. The combination of a multi-million-dollar construction contract and visible changes to park design prompted citizens to ask for clearer public engagement and cost transparency.
Details from the meeting: - Resident Patrick Jim Alba identified a change order amount of $8,009,119.94 and asked council for the total project cost; staff did not provide a total in the public meeting record. - City staff reported that the boardwalk contractor is draining the lake to begin work and that the city has staked locations for water wells related to the park.
There was no motion or vote on the Midtown Park contract during the meeting; the items referenced by speakers remain under staff and council review.
