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Montgomery County EDA updates Falling Branch readiness, approves Valley Landscaping contract
Summary
The Montgomery County Economic Development Authority heard progress on the Falling Branch site—waterline, lighting and pump-station design are complete or approved—and voted to accept a maintenance bid from Valley Landscaping estimated at about $43,000 for the coming season.
The Montgomery County Economic Development Authority approved a maintenance contract with Valley Landscaping and received an update on infrastructure work needed to bring the Falling Branch site to full readiness.
Staff member reported that work at Falling Branch Phase 2 by Main Street Builders has finished major items: the Town of Christiansburg accepted the waterline, electric street lights are installed, the road is paved, grass has been planted and the Department of Environmental Quality has approved the pump-station design. The site comprises about 19.6 acres, and the planned pump station will be located toward the rear of the property and connect via a force main toward an existing FedEx connection, staff said.
The EDA previously approved a pump-station study costing about $62,000; staff said the planned pump is sized for roughly 25,000 gallons per day. Staff also said engineering firm H and P advised that a roughly 200-foot stretch of water line needs more cover and should be buried about 3 feet to meet standards, a point Main Street Builders and H and P are still resolving.
On procurement, staff outlined options for landscaping and mowing at Falling Branch Phase 2. Purchasing recommended issuing a formal RFP in August, but staff said the Authority could extend Valley Landscaping’s existing contract for the coming season to avoid a poorly maintained site. Staff said the county will supply funding for the service; staff presented a revised estimate of about $43,000 for the contract (reduced from an earlier $48,000 figure) and noted that, owing to seasonal timing, the actual number of cuttings this year is likely to be closer to three for the new area, costing roughly $3,500–$3,800 for those cuts instead of an $11,000 line item previously discussed.
Committee member moved to accept the Valley Landscaping maintenance bid; the motion was seconded and the chair called the vote. Two 'ayes' were recorded and the motion passed.
Staff said the team’s next steps are to finalize outstanding elevation and cover issues with the engineering contractor, complete the bid package for sewer and natural gas work, and put the pump station out to bid so the site can reach the targeted Level 5 readiness. The Authority listed the next regular meeting for April 21 and encouraged members to attend a related Onward New River Valley event on data centers.
