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Design team presents downtown streetscape schematic; bid set due April, construction target June/July
Summary
A consultant presented schematic designs for McAllen/Caroline downtown improvements; phase 1 bid documents are due April 23, with council approvals and a construction start targeted for June/July and completion of phase 1 by December. Board discussed one-way street considerations, pedestrian crossings, tree selection and parade impacts.
Consultant Zach delivered a schematic design update for the downtown streetscape and community-building area on Feb. 17, laying out pedestrian improvements, tree and bench placements and proposed intersection treatments. The presentation emphasized continuity with existing brick sidewalks and a more pedestrian-friendly corridor for parades and street events.
Zach said the design team is preparing a 60% draft and expects to deliver a bid set by April 23. He outlined a tentative timeline: seek council authorization after the bid-package stage, advertise and award contracts in June, begin construction in June or July and complete phase 1 by December. The phase 1 scope discussed includes streets, sidewalks, landscaping and utility coordination.
Board members raised several operational points: whether McAllen Street should become one-way (which would require council approval and potential safety input), pedestrian crossing locations, bench/planter maintenance, and tree species selection (members warned about messy or allergenic species such as certain cedars). Zach said the packet contained inspiration images and that specific tree species and bench details would be finalized by the subconsultant once the board narrowed choices and provided direction.
Board directed staff and the consultant to clarify crosswalk placements, pedestrian access and the one-way/traffic implications before submitting final bid documents to council.
