Title
Discuss possible locations for Historical Park Education Center.
Body
At this year's City Council retreat, City Administration was directed to begin work on an Education Center for the Historical Park. The budget was established at $3,500,000 from the hotel/motel fund. Since that time City Administration has been researching architects with suitable experience. Requests For Qualifications (RFQs) were sent to seven firms and four were returned. All four of the responding firms have pertinent experience.
City Administration is scheduling tours to view projects designed by these firms. References will be checked, a committee of City Administration and Historical Preservation and Board members will conduct interviews, and select a firm with whom to negotiate a design contract. The design contract will be brought to City Council for approval.
While a master plan will not be part the contract, some master planning type activities will have to take place including programming building spaces and square footage, appearance of the building to blend in with the Historical Park, location of the building, etc.
There are two main areas being considered within the Historical Park proper for the Education Center location. Those areas are:
1. West of the Dodson House on the existing parking lot
2. Between the Dodson House and Farmers Branch Lane
City Administration will be present at the Historical Park to discuss location options and answer any questions City Council may have.