City unveils design for Stride Bank Center west parking lot with EV-ready conduit

Ramon Venezuela, the city's structural/roadway engineer, presented the proposed redesign of the Stride Bank Center west parking lot, describing how the existing asphalt lot (currently cited as roughly 201 spaces with several ADA stalls) would be rebuilt in concrete with new circulation, landscaped islands and infrastructure prepared for electric-vehicle use.

Venezuela said the redesign includes space for about 10 future EV charging stalls; the city will install conduit and electrical capacity but not the chargers themselves. "We're basically going to have the conduit to those locations and then explore the possibility of how to get EV charging stations there, either through a leasing agreement or something of that nature," he said.

The design also calls for event-ready power at two poles with higher-capacity outlets and additional poles with 30-amp outlets to support special events at the Stride Bank Center. Venezuela said lighting will match other recent city lots and that the design is approximately 90% complete; staff expect to finish final drawings in about a month, requiring roughly two months for bidding and a contractor selection process followed by an estimated construction period of up to four months.

When asked for a cost estimate, Venezuela provided a preliminary engineer's estimate of approximately $1,200,000. Commissioners and staff discussed coordination with adjacent property lines, preserving one large tree on the site and adding a wooden screening fence where the city property abuts private yards. Venezuela also said islands and upgraded lighting will improve flow and the lot's appearance while a contractor's schedule will determine the actual construction start date.

No formal action was taken; staff said they will complete final design, return with refined cost figures and proceed to bidding.