EDC approves $6,000 share for $12,000 downtown parking density study

The Fulshear Economic Development Corporation voted March 9 to fund $6,000 of a $12,000 ‘‘density study’’ by Ziegler Cooper to evaluate design, capacity and cost estimates for a proposed mixed‑use parking structure downtown. The motion, made by a board member and seconded by the chair, passed in open session.

Staff described the study as a way to determine how much parking could fit on available parcels and to produce a ‘‘comprehensive project cost estimate’’ including two‑year projections. “The proposal before you is for $12,000 for this density study,” Staff member (S2) said. “The total cost of the study is $12,000, but we're just requesting $6,000 unless you just tonight want to decide that a board wants to fully fund it.”

Board members stressed the need to coordinate any garage plan with the West Side drainage project on Wallace Street so the structure would not require interim detention or costly underground storage. Hayden (S7) told the board that Wallace Street’s completion is anticipated around 2028 and said staff intends for any garage design to ‘‘plug directly into’’ the West Side drainage work.

Staff said the study will include ballpark construction costs. A board member asked whether the study’s cost estimates would include an accuracy range; staff pointed out the services description includes a project cost estimate and two‑year projections and agreed to follow up if the board wanted a stated confidence band.

The board agreed to request the companion EDC board to fund the remaining $6,000. The study will inform later choices on financing, scale and potential mixed‑use components; the board did not approve construction funding at the meeting.

What happens next: staff will execute the study contract if the companion board also agrees to its share and will return results to the EDC for review and next steps.