BKDC approves engineering study for Central Park infrastructure; project split into phases

City staff presented resolution 2025-10 to create the Central Park Infrastructure Improvement Project and to authorize contracting for an engineering firm to conduct preliminary engineering and permitting analysis.

Speaker 4 explained the red line on the concept map is the initial Phase 1 scope while the blue line is a potential Phase 2 that would cross a creek; the engineering contract would include an environmental/water-quality study and a constraints and permitting analysis. “This will also need to be approved by city council,” Speaker 4 said, and added the study will produce cost projections and help define whether the Phase 2 connection should be vehicular or pedestrian and what permitting would be required.

Board members asked several clarifying questions, including whether the proposed drive aisle would become a city street or a private drive, whether a Phase 2 bridge would trigger Army Corps or other permitting, and the potential traffic impacts near a Montessori school. Staff said the study would include traffic impact estimates and culvert/permit analyses and would break costs out by phase so the board could decide what to pursue.

The board opened the public hearing for the item at 05:31, heard no public comments, closed the hearing and voted to approve the resolution unanimously. The resolution directs staff to proceed with negotiating a professional services agreement to begin engineering and permitting work; the engineering study will return cost and feasibility options for the board and city council to consider before construction decisions are made.