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Waxahachie council rejects $2.34 million North Grove Park bid amid debate over YMCA alternative
Summary
The council voted to deny a contract award for the North Grove Park project after members raised cost concerns and urged staff to pursue an alternative partnership with the YMCA that councilors said could deliver more amenities for less taxpayer money.
The Waxahachie City Council voted to deny a contract award for the North Grove Park project after an extended debate over cost, developer responsibility and a possible YMCA partnership.
Gomero Martinez, executive director for Parks and Leisure Services, told the council the base bid was $2,171,887.66 and staff included restroom and utility alternates that produced a total recommendation in the $2.17–$2.34 million range. Martinez said staff was under a 90-day pricing hold and warned the council a contractor might not honor bids beyond the deadline: “we do have a 90 day hold on pricing … we are up against that deadline,” he said.
Several council members objected to the price and argued the city should pursue alternatives. One council member said she had “a hard time supporting this park at $2,300,000” and urged redirecting the money to more expansive facilities proposed with the YMCA. Another council member said the YMCA had offered to deed property and could deliver lighted practice fields, covered courts and multiple amenities for substantially less city funding.
Opponents also pressed staff about whether the park would be city-owned or effectively limited to the adjacent development. Mayor Billy Wallace and staff noted questions remain about signage, access and whether developer agreements should carry more maintenance responsibility.
After discussion a council member moved to deny the bid award to Ehrlich Design Inc.; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The council did not adopt an alternate park plan that night; staff and councilors said they would continue discussions about the YMCA partnership and the city’s parkland-dedication policy.
What happens next: the bid award was denied and the council will not authorize the contract as presented. Council members asked staff to continue pursuing options for maximizing recreation value and to report back on potential agreements with private partners such as the YMCA.
