RECOMMENDATION: Approve an Ordinance appropriating $1,500,000.00 out of the Parks Consolidated Construction Fund to fulfill the City’s Capital contribution obligation of the Development, Construction, Operations, Maintenance and Concession Agreement for MacGregor Park between the City of Houston and Houston Parks Board.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION: The Houston Parks and Recreation Department recommends approving an Ordinance appropriating $1,500,000.00 out of the Parks Consolidated Construction Fund to fulfill the City’s obligation of the interlocal agreement for MacGregor Park between the City of Houston and Houston Parks Board. This appropriation is being made in compliance with the Elements of City Funding; Capital Contributions to Projects section of the Development, Construction, Operations, Maintenance and Concession Agreement. This section of the agreement states that the City will provide $1,500,000.00 in September 2024 which is the planned start date of Phase II of the project.
PROJECT LOCATION: 5225 Calhoun, Houston, TX 77021
PROJECT BACKGROUND:
Acquired in 1930, MacGregor Park is an 82-acre park embedded in a culturally and historically rich community in southeast Houston along Brays Bayou. This MacGregor Park agreement outlines a Five-Year Plan to implement critical improvements outlined in the MacGregor Park 2022 Master Plan and establishes Houston Parks Board as the project manager. Proposed Park improvements include upgrades to the tennis center, baseball field, historic center renovation, a new amphitheater, community plaza, playgrounds, event lawn, youth multipurpose field, and reconfigured parking. The Five-Year Plan is expected to be completed by December 31, 2028, with an overall estimated project cost of $54,000,000.00.
The MacGregor Park Agreement also establishes funding for Greenspace Maintenance, Facility Maintenance, and a Maintenance Reserve fund through the amended Bayou Greenways 380 Agreement. In turn, MacGregor Park Greenspace Maintenance responsibility will transfer to the Houston Parks Board and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department will continue to operate, maintain, and program the park facilities.
Fiscal Note: No significant Fiscal Operating Impact is anticipated as a result of this project.
WBS No. F-000956-0002-4
Director's Signature:
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Kenneth Allen, Director
Houston Parks and Recreation Department