Posted 10:58 am Wednesday, November 28, 2012
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Tyler city council OKs hiring parking garage project construction manager
BY JACQUE HILBURN-SIMMONS
jsimmons@tylerpaper.com
Finding a parking place in downtown Tyler could one day be a lot easier.
jsimmons@tylerpaper.com
Finding a parking place in downtown Tyler could one day be a lot easier.
City leaders agreed today to hire a special construction manager who can help guide the creation of an estimated $7 million, four-story parking garage at Broadway Avenue and Elm Street, on land gifted by the Fair Foundation.
The project still requires review and approval from city leaders before moving forward, but officials agreed that Dallas-based Manhattan Construction is the best candidate to help lead the efforts.
The company submitted a $447,084 bid, plus related management fees, and has expressed a willingness to use qualified suppliers or subcontractors from the Smith County area, City Engineer Carter Delleney said.
Walker Parking Consultants/Engineers initiated a study almost two years ago that found there are 1,406 spaces to park downtown, but only 360 are classified as public.
Consultants said the multi-story structure would add 427 new parking spaces, officials said.
The council agreed to the suggestion and decided in January to move into the final design phase of the Fair Plaza Garage.
Funding for the parking garage could come from half-cent sales tax revenue, public-private partnerships, special utility funds as well as oil and gas revenue.
Efforts expended by Walker Consulting were supported locally by Butler Architectural Group and Ballard and Braughton Engineering.
In a related development, officials met in executive session to discuss the possible sale of the city-owned Fair Building, 117 S. Broadway Ave. No action was taken on that item.
Officials said earlier they hope to sell the 9,000 square-foot Fair Building, sandwiched between Erwin and Elm streets next to the Lindsey Building, and possibly use the money to help complete the parking garage.
The building was gifted to the city in 2010 by the Fair Foundation, which also donated the land for the new parking garage.
The company submitted a $447,084 bid, plus related management fees, and has expressed a willingness to use qualified suppliers or subcontractors from the Smith County area, City Engineer Carter Delleney said.
Walker Parking Consultants/Engineers initiated a study almost two years ago that found there are 1,406 spaces to park downtown, but only 360 are classified as public.
Consultants said the multi-story structure would add 427 new parking spaces, officials said.
The council agreed to the suggestion and decided in January to move into the final design phase of the Fair Plaza Garage.
Funding for the parking garage could come from half-cent sales tax revenue, public-private partnerships, special utility funds as well as oil and gas revenue.
Efforts expended by Walker Consulting were supported locally by Butler Architectural Group and Ballard and Braughton Engineering.
In a related development, officials met in executive session to discuss the possible sale of the city-owned Fair Building, 117 S. Broadway Ave. No action was taken on that item.
Officials said earlier they hope to sell the 9,000 square-foot Fair Building, sandwiched between Erwin and Elm streets next to the Lindsey Building, and possibly use the money to help complete the parking garage.
The building was gifted to the city in 2010 by the Fair Foundation, which also donated the land for the new parking garage.
