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Pflugerville council approves Downtown East sale agreements as parking structure cost rises to $18.6 million
Summary
Council approved three purchase-and-sale agreements for the Downtown East project, reallocating savings from City Hall and authorizing a parking-structure purchase despite staff testimony that the structure's cost rose to about $18.6 million from earlier estimates. Staff said underground utilities are largely complete, a CLOMR FEMA review is underway for the project bridge, and bridge construction is estimated just under $4 million.
Pflugerville City Council voted to approve three related purchase-and-sale agreements tied to the Downtown East development, authorizing the city manager to execute amended contracts for City Hall, infrastructure and a parking structure after staff explained changes in scope and cost.
City staff and the project's master development partner described construction progress and funding moves. "We've largely completed all of the underground utility work and the base core street networks," Corin Crawford of Griffin Swinderton said as she outlined ongoing infrastructure work and the timing for phase 1b site activity. The agreements include reallocating cost savings from City Hall toward the parking structure and plaza.
The item prompted detailed questions about a bridge over Gilliland Creek. Staff said the project team submitted a CLOMR application with FEMA in March and expects FEMA's review to conclude within months; the structural-engineering design cost for the bridge was cited at $108,000 and bridge construction "including embankments" was described as just under $4,000,000. "We think we're sort of on our last round of review," the project's lead designer said of agency approvals.
Councilmembers pressed staff on why the parking structure's estimated cost increased since last year. Staff said earlier estimates were based on market snapshots without detailed design; with a fully-baked design and current market conditions the total project cost rose to $18.6 million. "A year ago we weren't confronting tariffs," one project lead said, adding that completed buyouts for City Hall and the rec center help the team better understand pricing for the parking structure.
Council also asked about financing. Staff said the parking structure will be funded primarily with TIRZ/TIF-like TERS dollars and that staff would follow up on the timing and issuance details with the finance director. The city made motions to approve the agreements and to amend the City Hall purchase-and-sale agreement to reallocate identified savings; council recorded motions and carried votes to authorize execution of the agreements.
The council approved the actions on the floor. The council's next steps include returning later with retail condominium and lease considerations related to the project and bringing any remaining condominium regime items back for separate review.
