Bryan City staff present new animal shelter plan; $2.2M shortfall with current funding

City staff presented a schematic design and cost update for a proposed new animal shelter at 2101 East Martin Luther King Jr. Street and told the council the project remains short of required funding.

The presenter said the project began with a 2018 feasibility study that estimated roughly 17,880 square feet and lower per‑square‑foot costs, then described a 100% schematic design submitted at about 13,090 square feet. "We are in the early stages of this," the presenter said, and noted the city has earmarked $7,400,000 in 2026 bond funds plus about $405,000 in donations for FF&E. The staff estimate leaves "about $2,200,000 short" to complete the building at the 13,090‑square‑foot design.

The presenter explained that construction prices have risen post‑COVID and that a smaller building footprint reflects both higher costs and lower intake numbers. With prioritized additions that expand the design to about 14,200 square feet, staff said the funding gap grows to roughly $3,000,000 and the total project cost approaches $10.8 million.

Council members asked whether the project would be rebid or include private fundraising to close the gap; staff replied the selected construction manager at risk will publicly bid trade work and produce a guaranteed maximum price before council approval. The council did not take formal action at the workshop; staff said the CMAR approval will return to council in October.