Montgomery EDC approves up to $2.528 million for downtown Macauan Street improvements

The Montgomery Economic Development Corporation voted April 21 to authorize an expenditure not to exceed $2,528,000 for design and construction of downtown improvements along Macauan Street, approving a resolution that moves the project into the design-and-bid phase.

Consultant Zach of WGA summarized the scope under the resolution: roadway improvements for phase one (College to Caroline) and phase three (Caroline to FM 105), grading and pad preparation for the northern and southern lots, utility upgrades including a larger water line and stormwater work, additional parking where feasible, and landscaping touches such as brick inlays at key intersections. Zach said the price estimate includes a 20% contingency and that landscaping items could be bid as alternates to reduce near-term costs.

Board members pressed staff on drainage calculations for the community center area and asked whether private façades would be eligible for EDC support; staff said the public project is limited to right-of-way work but that the EDC could consider grant partnerships with private property owners later. The relocation of the Raven Fullen house and any structural engineering for that move was described as a separate, city-managed contract rather than part of the WGA scope.

Board members also reviewed fiscal context: staff noted the EDC fund balance at about $4.3 million and emphasized that the full authorized amount would not be spent at once and that design options and alternates would return to the board for additional approvals. The consultant said civil work might take roughly six months with landscaping and finish work added in later phases, and that bid sets for the expanded scope were expected in June.

Motion and next steps: A board member moved to accept the resolution as presented; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Staff said the approval authorizes moving forward with design, public hearing scheduling and subsequent council consideration (first-reading and second-reading steps at city council were described). The board directed staff to proceed with public hearing scheduling and to return with bid-ready documents and any design decisions that require later board or council input.

Votes at a glance: the resolution authorizing the downtown improvements was approved by the EDC and will proceed to the public hearing and city council review. (Other routine votes at the meeting — acceptance of meeting minutes and the financial report — were also approved.)

The EDC said it will return with design refinements, bid alternates to trim landscaping costs if needed, and an updated schedule for construction and required permits.