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Design team outlines vision, phasing and $56M–$80M planning range for Front Street plaza
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Summary
Design team presented a 10% design for the Front Street pedestrian plaza, including a curbless plaza concept, band shell, shade and phased construction, estimating $26M in 2026 construction costs for core street improvements and a 2030 build-range of about $56M–$80M after contingencies and inflation.
Designers from Somos gave a 10% design update on the Front Street Pedestrian Plaza that emphasized a curbless plaza, improved shade and events infrastructure and careful phasing to preserve economic activity during construction.
Holly Williams, project manager for the design team, said the 10% phase collects surveys, geotechnical input and initial cost assumptions and helps the council and community confirm major design choices. Paul Fussell, senior urban designer, reviewed planning-level costs and trade-offs and described the planning goal of creating a permanent, high-quality plaza that supports the town’s economic vitality.
The team presented a 2026 planning-level construction estimate of roughly $26 million for the core Front Street improvements, which they described as ‘construction costs’ before adding design contingencies and inflation. Using an illustrative 5% annual inflation to a 2030 build date and adding soft costs and reserves, the team presented a planning range of approximately $56 million to $80 million. Designers said some items (for example a potential new band shell) remain high-uncertainty line items and will be refined in 30% design.
Design approach and phasing: the consultants emphasized maintaining access to storefronts and events during construction, segmenting work geographically, sequencing utilities before pavement work, and frequent communication with business owners. They also noted coordination is already underway with the parking-garage project so utilities and facilities for features like heated pavement could be coordinated.
Next steps: the team recommended advancing to 30% design, refining utilities, phasing and funding strategy and preparing clearer cost/financing options for council review. No funding decision was requested at this meeting.
