Council approves feasibility work for training and maintenance facilities; sidewalk and streetscape projects advanced

At the Feb. 4–5 budget workshop staff outlined capital priorities and recommended next steps for several facilities projects, including a citywide training center, redevelopment of the Doak Street maintenance site, and sidewalk projects.

Fire Chief Jason Myers described the proposed multi-department training facility that would include a two‑story burn building, multi‑story training tower, confined‑space props, and a multi‑use driver training skid pad. A feasibility study and site tours (including Alamance Community College) were planned; staff moved the CIP timeline back one year to accommodate the study and will issue a feasibility‑study purchase order by June.

City Manager Michael Brandt recommended redeveloping the City‑owned Doak Street maintenance site rather than leasing expensive alternative spaces after evaluating off‑site lease options. Brandt estimated engineering and feasibility work of roughly $75,000 to determine buildability on the former landfill and associated retaining‑wall costs if adjacent parcels are included. Council supported budgeting the engineering study to evaluate redeveloping owned property.

Public Works staff reviewed sidewalk strategy: over 4,100 linear feet of sidewalk replaced since January 2024, a planned comprehensive sidewalk study for summer 2026, and an engineering contract for Memorial Park Drive sidewalk improvements with a $150,000 engineering phase. The City also noted Powell Bill funding (~$680,000) and existing paving reserves that support street and sidewalk work.

Staff summarized next steps and directed memos and scopes for committee review; no final construction funding commitments were made at the workshop.