Designer presents $1.29 million plan for downtown "Junction"; construction drawings due in April

John Chandler of Planning Design Group presented the final designs and a preliminary budget for the Junction, a downtown plaza intended for performances, markets and public events. Chandler said the layout centers on a turf green and elevated stage flanked by granite-composite seating and railroad-themed landscaping, and that the entry sign and stage are the project’s focal points.

Chandler said the current estimate for the project is $1,294,000, which includes design fees, surveys, geotechnical reports and contingency. He told the council the city has commitments of roughly $500,000, the county has pledged $400,000 and the Chandler family has pledged $300,000; he said his family would add additional funds if needed to bring the budget closer to bids. "We're at 98% drawing levels now...and we’re getting very close to be able to put shovels in the ground,” Chandler said.

Chandler outlined elements he expects in initial construction and items deferred from the first bid: an elevated stage; a turf center (to avoid mowing); composite granite seating; stamped concrete accents; and railroad-track motifs integrated into landscaping. He said some decorative elements — portable restrooms, storage containers and certain amenities — were removed from the initial bid package to keep costs down, but could be added later if bids allow.

He said the team has applied for two grants that could help close the remaining funding gap (a railroad-related grant and an opportunity described as a downtown revitalization grant tied to a corporate program). Chandler said the team expects construction drawings to be complete by April 17, to go out to bid around April 30 with bids accepted by mid-June, and to begin construction in late June; the schedule would put a conservative opening around early spring next year.

Chandler also flagged a structural issue on the building immediately south of the Junction site. He said three structural engineers agreed the building’s exterior wall needs repair; an earlier estimate put the cost near $180,000, but a more recent quote the owner provided was in the $40,000–$45,000 range. Chandler said the building’s condition affects whether demolition or excavation work can safely begin and that an investor has expressed interest in renovating that building.

Council members asked about the grants and about whether certain features could be phased into later work. Chandler recommended going to bid with the core package and using contingency or grant proceeds to restore deferred items. No formal vote was required at the presentation stage; council members thanked Chandler and said staff would return with any bid approvals necessary once the procurement phase begins.