Live Oak EDC approves $5,000 visual-improvement payment for Madera Apartments

The Live Oak Economic Development Corporation on Jan. 28 approved a resolution authorizing a $5,000 payment directly to the contractor Pegasus Contracting to support a visual improvement project at Madera Apartments, 13101 East Loop 1604.

The action matters because the EDC’s Visual Improvement Program (VIP) subsidizes exterior repairs that the corporation says help maintain business and housing stock along major corridors; the board approved a single, $5,000 contribution toward an $82,100 project the applicant said will repair and repaint metal stair railings and second-floor balconies.

Donna Louder, Economic Development staff, presented the application and said the work will include scraping, cleaning and painting 26 stairwells and 52 second-floor balconies, and that the EDC’s portion will be limited to the areas facing Oak Terrace and Loop 1604. Louder identified the total project cost as $82,100 and said the applicant requested $5,000 under resolution number 202501.

Michael Robertson, property supervisor for Madera Apartments, confirmed the contractor will use an oil-based primer and that the apartment owner will supply the finishing paint. “We are still providing the finishing paint, so the cost that you see there is mostly for labor,” Robertson said.

Board members asked contractor and material questions before voting. Director Tolgren asked which vendor had been chosen; Louder said the applicant selected Pegasus (listed in the packet originally as Sentinel/Sentinels but updated to Pegasus). Director Tolgren also noted one bid called for an oil-based primer and that the applicant would provide finish paint; Robertson confirmed the primer and owner-provided paint.

After brief comment, a board member moved to approve Resolution 2025-1 authorizing payment directly to the contractor Pegasus Contracting in the amount of $5,000 in connection with the VIP on behalf of Madera Apartments; Director Green seconded. The board voted with all members present in favor and the motion carried.

The resolution authorizes the direct payment to the contractor, but the project scope and contractor start date remain subject to the normal VIP compliance and contractor scheduling. The applicant indicated some wood elements will be replaced as needed and that work would begin after completion of the meeting and related contract steps.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2025-1, Visual Improvement Program payment to Pegasus Contracting for Madera Apartments — Approved (unanimous vote of directors present). The motion authorized payment of $5,000 toward a total project cost of $82,100.

Details recorded at the meeting indicate the EDC’s contribution is limited to specified frontage along Oak Terrace and Loop 1604; the applicant provided three bids and selected Pegasus. The packet used at the meeting reflected an earlier contractor name in one bid; staff confirmed the contractor change prior to the vote.