The Houston City Council on Monday approved final design work and bidding for a $5.5 million outdoor sports complex and recreation center on Spruce Street, an ambitious project that will transform a 60-acre tract north of Houston School District sports facilities.
The decision came following a detailed presentation about the project as it hit the 50 percent design mark. The scope includes a recreation center that covers about 32,000 square feet and includes two basketball courts with a walking trail, full-size baseball infield, pitching/batting cages, restrooms and concessions that can also serve the outdoor venue. The latter includes two softball/youth fields and two baseball fields that are east of the building. The structure faces a parking lot to accommodate about 200 cars on the west side. Under the preliminary plan, parking would initially be a gravel lot and asphalt is expected later.
Cameron Schweiss of Archer-Elgin, a Rolla engineering firm, told the five-member council and mayor that the project is moving along with an initial bid package to include excavation work. Those prices are expected for review at the council’s first meeting in April.
Other phases will be included in additional bid components under a project overseen by a construction manager, Mid-State Pipeline Maintenance LLC of Belle, whose principal Jimmy Zumwalt oversaw a similar project in Belle. The council approved the manager late last year.
The council, mayor, its parks department and coaches have held several planning meetings as part of the design phase.
The project, paid through city reserves, possible grants and a lease-purchase component overseen by investment banker McLiney and Co. of Mission, Kansas, preliminarily includes about $4.1 million in construction costs, a 10 percent contingency for unforeseen expenses, as well as financial and management fees. The city also has an income stream from a half-cent sales tax earmarked for parks. The project is not to exceed $5.5 million. Pavilions could be added later.
The council also approved an ordinance Monday that would exempt the building from requiring a fire sprinkler system, which would add an estimated $300,000 to $500,000 to the cost. Instead, the city will install a high-capacity water line and position a fire hydrant close to the north side of the building. A fire suppression system could be added later, if deemed necessary.