Commission tables then approves Mallory Square restroom design task order after clarifying scope

The commission considered a task order for Bender & Associates to design renovations and an additional restroom facility at Mallory Square. Resident Joe Walsh urged a larger scope that would consider walkways and adjacent areas, and several commissioners pressed staff to ensure the design aligns with prior master-plan work and that maintenance and long-term upkeep are addressed.

Commissioners asked legal and staff whether the task order specifically required the additional restroom to be adjacent to the existing facility. Legal and staff found the task order itself did not fix a single location; to remove ambiguity the commission struck the phrase "adjacent to the existing facility" from the resolution’s second paragraph so the task order and the resolution aligned. After that amendment the motion to approve passed on a roll-call vote.

Commissioners also asked the architect to review alternative locations and to incorporate public feedback; staff said the task order would permit the architect to study alternative siting and return recommendations before construction. "We would ask staff to tell us whether the task order includes that or not," the city attorney said during the roll call clarification; staff confirmed revisions and returned with the corrected resolution before the vote.

The amended task order authorizes design work and budgeting steps; the commission directed staff to ensure public outreach and to bring back final documents for construction authorization.