Title
Discuss and Consider the Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Studio 13, PLLC, in the Amount of $214,455 for Design, Engineering, and Construction Documents Related to James McKnight Park West Improvements
Requested Action
Approve Professional Services Agreement
Recommendation
Approve Professional Services Agreement
Description/History
James McKnight Park West (JMPW), located at 302 North Wisteria Street, was opened in 1988 as an expansion of its sister park, James McKnight Park East (JMPE). The two parks are bisected by U.S. Hwy 287, with the Walnut Creek Linear Trail (WCLT) providing a connection between them via an underpass of the highway (where the highway bridges Walnut Creek).
JMPW currently serves as a trailhead along the WCLT, providing a location to connect to JMPE, Hardy Allmon Soccer Complex, Katherine Rose Memorial Park, Town Park and Historic Downtown Mansfield. The WCLT is the spine for Mansfield’s entire trail network and one of the city’s most popular amenities. Other than as a trailhead along the WCLT, JWMP has remained a largely undeveloped park since its opening. Aside from a small pavilion and a parking lot at the trail connection, the 42.54-acre park provides no other access to, or opportunity for, recreational use to the surrounding neighborhood residents or citizens of Mansfield.
Due to population growth, location along the WCLT, and proximity to Historic Downtown Mansfield, this park provides an excellent opportunity to provide recreational uses and amenities for the citizens of Mansfield. In the 2020 10-Year Master Plan, JMPW was listed as the fourth highest priority project in the southwest quadrant, and is currently the highest unfunded project. In an effort to support this development, the city submitted a Local Parks Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation grant application to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in July 2022. The city was notified in January 2023 that we were awarded a $750,000 matching grant for the project. Park improvements planned for in the grant include trails and pedestrian bridges, a shaded accessible playground, pavilion, disc golf course, improved parking area(s), site utilities, native landscaping, irrigation, and park signage.
Studio 13, PLLC submitted the attached proposal of services to perform site evaluation, facilitate community input, prepare park development plans, and provide additional services as needed to plan for the implementation of park improvements. The total cost of the proposed professional services agreement is $214,455, including $163,035 for basic services and $51,420 for additional services related to an updated flood study. Funding for this phase of the project is included in the FY2022-2023 MPFDC budget.
Justification
Existing park amenities require renovation, relocation, and renewal due to increased use, flooding events and for added safety. A Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant was awarded, and the approval of a professional services agreement is the next step in the redevelopment/renovation of this grant agreement. The results of this agreement will provide direction and forward progression towards the design, engineering, and construction of proposed grant planned and approved amenities.
Funding Source
MPFDC 1/2 cent sales tax
TPWD Local Parks Non-Urban Outdoor Grant
Prepared By
Bryan Lyness, PLA, ASLA
Park Project Manager II
Bryan.Lyness@mansfieldtexas.gov
817.728.3387
James Fish, RLA, ASLA
Parks Planning Manager
James.Fish@mansfieldtexas.gov
817.728.3394