Lawton council advances Propel 2040 projects, authorizes animal shelter bids and museum supplemental funding

The Lawton City Council on Tuesday held a special session focused on the Propel 2040 capital improvement program and approved several project steps and supplemental funding requests.

City staff presented an overview of completed and proposed CIP projects and said the next funding round would include a package of projects totaling just under $85 million, covering streets, a sports complex, a museum renovation, library upgrades, an animal welfare center and park improvements. Dwayne, the city staff presenter, told the council the CIP list is programmable across a 14‑year window for budgeting and prioritization.

Architects presented designs for the Animal Welfare Building, a renovation of a vacated fire station that would expand capacity from about 120 animals to 356 and add intake, isolation and a surgery suite. GH2 associate principal Jamie Prashaw described the layout and program. Council approved a motion to authorize staff to advertise the project for bids and proceed with procurement; presenters said the design target is roughly $5 million and the council approved advertisement unanimously, 7–0.

On the library ceiling and systems project, Guernsey Architects reported a $2 million estimate to replace the ceiling, lighting, ductwork and to add some fire‑alarm and suppression work. In discussion, staff and consultants clarified that full HVAC unit replacement was handled as an add‑alternate to avoid delaying the ceiling work. Councilmember Warren moved — and the council approved 7–0 — to direct the mayor to form a committee to study options for the future of the main library, including a 120‑day review of life‑cycle costs, grant and partnership opportunities and whether relocation or a joint STEM‑library campus could be a preferable long‑term solution.

Museum of the Great Plains staff and project architects detailed widespread exterior and roof failures caused in part by a 2023 hailstorm and described a $6 million construction estimate to address exterior finishes, roof and mechanical upgrades. Museum representatives warned of risks to artifacts and said moving and specialized packing would be required for a 12‑month closure. Two moving estimates were presented (examples: a partial‑assistance proposal at about $1.28 million and full turnkey quotes higher), and museum staff estimated additional storage and utility costs. Council voted 7–0 to approve supplemental contingency funding (bringing the request discussed to roughly $7.8 million total including moving/storage contingencies) and to proceed with bid advertisement; insurance proceeds were discussed to reimburse moving costs if and when recoveries are received.

Parks staff briefed the council on phase 3 of park improvements under Propel 2040, noting a Healthy Kids Initiative grant of about $738,406 to offset costs. Council voted 7–0 to proceed with the park package that covers nine parks in this round.

Council also received a short master‑planning update for the McMahon Park ball fields and accepted that report.

Council actions taken at the meeting were procedural authorizations to advertise or proceed, direction to the mayor and staff to form a library study committee, and approval of supplemental contingency funding for the museum project. Several projects remain subject to bid results, insurance recoveries and final financing decisions to be considered at the regular council meeting the following day.