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Friendswood EDC updates: overhead line removal authorized, permanent lighting complete, facade grants and story map improvements discussed
Summary
Staff told the EDC that Comcast has authorization and permitting is underway for overhead-line removal, permanent downtown lighting is complete, a possible façade grant program will require public hearings, and the downtown story map was updated to improve transparency.
City staff updated the Friendswood Downtown Economic Development Corporation on multiple downtown projects at the July 14 meeting, including overhead utility removal, downtown lighting, potential facade grants, a refreshed story map and calendared events.
Steven said city council authorized payment to Comcast for overhead-line removal and permitting is underway; AT&T is completing design work and estimated 6–8 weeks for its design, while Verizon indicated it may allow the other two carriers to proceed ahead of it to avoid overlapping crews. Steven cautioned start dates and timelines depend on permitting and third‑party coordination.
Permanent lighting at City Hall, the library and the Senior Activity Building is complete; Steven said staff will draft a procedure to handle requests to change lighting colors for recognition months. A board member who worked on the lighting project noted the system cost roughly $2.6 million and praised the result.
Steven outlined a potential facade‑grant program modeled on other Texas cities. He said a facade program would require public hearings and a competitive process with match and reimbursement rules; several members said an independent adjudication panel would help ensure transparency and avoid conflicts of interest.
Aubrey updated the board on the downtown story map and said she added dates and project summaries so the public could follow downtown improvements; Steven said staff will circulate the link and try to make the story map easier to find from the city website. Upcoming community events announced included dive‑in movies (July 17 and 24 and Aug. 7) and a farmers market on Aug. 1.
Finance provided a snapshot of balances: a beginning fund balance of $3,605,132, revenue of $102,930, a major expenditure tied to Comcast of around $625,000, and an ending fund balance for June 2026 of roughly $2.93 million (unencumbered fund balance $2,931,720). Steven said staff will continue project reporting and bring updates to future meetings.
