· Precursor
Council hires Garfield Public/Private for Civic Center pre-development services, up to $494,200, 5-0
Seven months after voters rejected Proposition A, the council voted 5-0 to enter into a pre-development services agreement with Garfield Public/Private LLC for professional services related to the Amarillo Civic Center Complex, at a cost not to exceed $494,200. The firm's final report was presented to the council on May 24, 2022, the same meeting at which the council approved tax notes for the project.[1][2][3]
Ginger NelsonCole StanleyFreda PowellEddy SauerHoward SmithGarfield Public/Private LLC
What the sources say
- ✓ Verified
On June 22, 2021 the council voted 5-0 to "enter into a Pre-Development Services Agreement with Garfield Public/Private LLC for professional services related to the Amarillo Civic Center Complex for a cost not to exceed $494,200.00," on a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Freda Powell seconded by Councilmember Eddy Sauer. Mayor Ginger Nelson and Councilmembers Cole Stanley, Powell, Sauer and Howard Smith voted yes. [1]
- Cost cap
- $494,200
- ✓ Verified
Texas Scorecard; Mayor Ginger Nelson: Texas Scorecard reported that the agreement covered advice on the planning, design and construction of a modern arena, rehabilitation and expansion of the Civic Center complex, rehabilitation of the Santa Fe Depot and associated parking, with pre-development work including conceptual design and updated construction cost estimates, and negotiation with the firm over funding, ownership and operating alternatives. Mayor Ginger Nelson said, "I think we're in an exploratory phase, wanting to know what are the options, what are the different ways to pay for it." [2]
- ✓ Verified
The minutes do not say whether the Garfield report recommended the tax-note financing the council approved after hearing it; the report itself was not fetched. In a separate May 5, 2022 TIRZ #1 board meeting, Assistant City Manager Andrew Freeman described a TIRZ plan change as following a suggestion from Garfield Public Private to give the council flexibility in financing the Civic Center. [3][4]