FAIR OAKS RANCH – The Municipal Development District board of directors agreed to extend the timeline and price tag of a project to build a civic center.
The 2020 agreement between the city of Fair Oaks Ranch and the MDD for a $600,000 grant for the construction of a new civic center will expire in September, so the city council asked for an extension on the agreement and an increase in funding.
The MDD Board July 12 unanimously voted to extend the agreement by three years and increase the grant to $1.2 million.
After design and construction were postponed due to covid restrictions and increased costs, the city estimated the cost of construction changed from $1 million to $2 million. In a recommitment to building a civic center, the city council approved $300,000 to hire Lopez Salas Architects Inc. at its July 15 meeting.
City Manager Scott Huizenga told the board the grant increase was proportional to the $600,000 the board had originally agreed to with the city.
Board Director Mike Lovelace wanted to know why the city didn't request more money from the board, given the MDD had a large budget and no “significant projects on the horizon.” The board has a current fund balance of $2.55 million and is projected to have $2.67 million by September 30.
Huizenga said the $1.2 million grant request was to maintain the integrity of the agreement.
Director David Fairhurst questioned the size and uses for the center.
“We’re not exactly sure what that will be at this point in time,” Huizenga said. “None of this proposes that we have much of a preconceived notion as far as the size, cost (and use) of the facility. That’ll be done through a public process with the council that could kick off as early as next week.”
The city council met July 19 to discuss designs for the civic center. Huizenga said nothing has been drawn up, as the council wants to confirm the uses of the facility first.
The motion to renew the agreement included some minor changes as to what constitutes a civic center.
The civic center previously was to be between 3,000-to-4,000 square feet with a public center, city council chambers, and a kitchen, but the updated language no longer includes specific square footage.
The amended resolution said the facility will create a community gathering space for residents; feature design elements that strengthen and celebrate Fair Oaks Ranch’s Hill Country aesthetic; and include a seamless transition between City Hall complex buildings and maximized greenspace.”
Despite Huizenga’s assurances, MDD board directors and audience members voiced concern with the ambiguity of the amended agreement.
Audience member Seth Mitchell called the language of the facility description “sales puffery,” while Director Nick DiCianni called it “boilerplate.”
“I think this is a good idea,” DiCianni said, about extending the duration of the agreement. “I think we have to do a little more due diligence in the planning.”
Like Lovelace, DiCianni questioned why the city did not request more money from the board.
“I don’t want to build a cheap-looking $1.2 million structure,” Lovelace said. “I’d rather have something we can all drive past for the next 30 years that’s pretty and functional.”
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