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Moscow council accepts East City Park stage report after design review and budget discussion
Summary
City staff presented a revised design for an attached stage at East City Park, citing a construction estimate just under $800,000 and a total FY26 budget allocation of $885,000; council accepted the report and directed staff to pursue an RFQ, grant funding and next design steps.
City staff and the design team presented an updated concept and 30% design-level cost estimate for a new stage attached to the existing restroom building at East City Park, and the Moscow City Council voted to accept the report and provide staff feedback.
Cody Riddle, the project lead, told the council the effort dates to 2010 and that staff conducted public outreach this spring and summer — including an open house and presence at community events — which yielded broad support and requests for public art, attention to paving and tree preservation, and improved integration of storage and lighting spaces. "We proceeded to refine that design a little bit further and provided you an update back on 12/16/2024," Riddle said during the presentation.
Ned of Design West reviewed the updated plans, saying the addition would add roughly 1,100 square feet to the restroom building and increase the stage width by about four feet — approximately a 12% increase under the basic concept. "Right now, the basic project is hovering just a little bit below $800,000 as our cost estimate," Ned said. He also presented alternate configurations that would enlarge the roof and stage, producing a footprint up to roughly 50% wider for larger ensembles.
Staff and council clarified budget and schedule. A city staff member stated that $885,000 is budgeted in the fiscal year 2026 budget to cover the total project (construction plus design), with design costs expected to be slightly over $50,000 and larger-stage increases to be treated as alternates dependent on additional funding. Riddle asked the council for approval to issue a request for qualifications for design services, pursue grant funding, and prepare construction drawings with the intent to begin construction as early as spring or summer of next year, subject to funding and scheduling.
Council members pressed on technical and operational issues, including load-in/load-out access, maintenance and safety in dark alcoves, pathway reconfiguration, disabled parking accommodations and the trade-offs between constructing a permanent structure versus using a mobile/trailer stage as an interim or alternative solution. One council member described the proposed structure as lacking character and asked whether a mobile stage could be purchased or borrowed as a temporary alternative to reduce disruption to summer events.
After discussion and feedback, Speaker 5 moved to accept the report and Speaker 2 seconded. The council recorded aye votes from Hailey, Julia, Sandra and Andrew; the motion to accept the report carried. Council direction at the acceptance was procedural: staff should pursue the RFQ, investigate grant options and continue design refinements. No construction contract was awarded at the meeting and the larger-stage options remained contingent on further funding decisions.
Next steps: staff will issue the RFQ for design services, refine the construction drawings, pursue grant opportunities and return to council with recommended procurement and funding details.
