Huntsville council authorizes $11.5M preliminary engineering for Resolute Way, advances Orion parking design and other contracts

The Huntsville City Council on Nov. 20 approved a package of transportation and development agreements, including a $11.5 million preliminary engineering and construction agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation to advance Resolute Way Phase 1.

Shane Davis, director of urban economic development, told the council the agreement would kick off preliminary engineering work to establish new access to Redstone Arsenal and Governors West, noting "the total agreement would be $11,500,000 with $9,200,000 coming from our federal funds through the MPO and our local funding... $2,300,000" for local match. Davis said the first phase focuses on at‑grade work on Redstone Arsenal property; a later phase would evaluate a flyover connector across I‑65.

The council approved the Resolute Way resolution after discussion about when schematic designs would be available. Council member Meredith said he needed to see sketches before supporting later phases; Davis said preliminary engineering will deliver options in the first quarter of next year. The vote carried with Meredith recorded as abstaining.

Council also moved forward with design work tied to the Orion Amphitheater. City Administrator John Hamilton described a standard agreement with Amiri Engineering Corporation for engineering services on an Orion parking deck that will serve the MidCity area and the amphitheater. Hamilton said the deck will be city‑managed and discussed how parking fees and use could be governed by subsequent development agreements. The council approved the engineering contract and a companion architectural agreement with Chapman System of Architects to produce the design. Hamilton explained architectural fees are governed by state law and typically run around 7% of anticipated construction costs.

The council approved a modification to the design contract for HVAC replacements at the Municipal Justice/Public Safety Complex. Hamilton said staff consolidated what had been planned as multiple phases into a single project so the building’s mechanical systems can be replaced without displacing court operations. "We determined that really it's gonna be much, much less impactful in terms of their daily work, and ultimately probably less costly to do this as a single project," Hamilton said. Council approved the modification.

The council also approved a special‑employee agreement for Woody Maples to perform outside environmental inspections for the city’s natural resources program, with the contract capped by state retirement rules at not to exceed $40,000.

Chair announced the various measures passed under normal roll call; the Resolute Way action was recorded with one abstention (Meredith), while the engineering, architecture and HVAC items passed unanimously. The council set follow‑up public distribution of engineering schematics for the Resolute Way project as those materials become available.

What’s next: staff said preliminary engineering products and public outreach on route options will be shared next year; the council will consider any phase‑2 funding or MPO actions when those details return for review.