Green City Council committees back financing and contract for Southwood Drive extension

Green City Council committees on Tuesday advanced companion measures to finance and build Phase 1 of the Southwood Drive extension, including a bond-anticipation note, a dedication plat and a construction contract that officials said would allow work to begin as soon as permits and contracts are finalized.

During the Finance Committee, Chair Neugebauer flagged ordinance 2025-09, a 3rd‑reading authorization for issuance of bond anticipation notes in a maximum principal amount of $1,350,000 to pay or reimburse the city for costs tied to Southwood Drive Phase 1. The finance director told members the note issuance was rated by S&P as “SP‑1+” and the administration planned to price the notes on Aug. 28 if council approves the measure.

In Planning and Transportation committee sessions, council members reviewed the companion pieces that make up Phase 1. Chair Davidis described resolution 2025‑R33 as the dedication plat that will establish the right-of-way for the roundabout at the end of Goldenwood where it meets Southwood, and said the plat is linked to the financing ordinance and to a pending construction award.

Chair Maager told members the contract award resolution, 2025‑R31, recommends the city accept the lowest and best bid from Kavanaugh Building Corporation. “The lowest and best of that was Kavanaugh Building Corporation. That bid was $1,148,275,” he said. Maager and staff noted that with contingency the total project amount recommended for approval is $1,312,884.50.

Engineering Director Paul Pickett summarized schedule and scope, saying Phase 1 will extend the roadway about 400 feet and include a roundabout and connector segments near the top of Spring Hill and Goldenwood Way. Pickett told the committee that if all three legislative pieces are approved at the regular meeting, the city would authorize pre‑construction and proceed with bidding and contracting steps.

None of the three measures was voted on during the committee block; committee chairs said each item will be placed on the regular council agenda for final vote at the 7:00 p.m. meeting.

The committees also discussed project attachments and maps for residents watching at home and confirmed projection of a second phase to be bid next year. The administration estimated bidding and preconstruction steps would follow immediately after council approval.