Council appeared to unanimously agree the timing was not right to pursue a multimillion-dollar bond at this time for a number of reasons, including the fact that more information is needed on costs as well as the upcoming widening of RM 620, for which the city of Lakeway has pledged $5 million to help expedite the project.
Prior to council's vote, the projects up for consideration included a $1.2 million two-lane expansion of Main Street, a $4.5 million shared-use path, a $2.1 million remodeling of the city’s old Justice Center, $3.15 million for sidewalk connections, and $2.02 million in renovations and improvements for the Lakeway Parks and Recreation Department.
The parks and recreation costs contained line items for parking lot, engineering, restroom and utility improvements for open acreage at the Serene Hills development off of Hwy. 71 at a price tag of $1.2 million, as well as an all-inclusive play structure and safety surface material for an unspecified park that topped out at $500,000 and a $325,000 bridge and sculpture garden project at the lawn of the old Justice Center on 104 Cross Creek Drive where City Council recently authorized the installation of a $150,000 sculpture called "The Game."
Broken down, the bridge and sculpture project included a $250,000 pedestrian bridge over Hurst Creek leading into the Hamilton Greenbelt, with the remaining cost going toward landscaping, signage and the installation of a sidewalk.
Parks and Recreation Director Andra Bennett addressed City Council during the Feb. 3 meeting, stating beyond the park additions and improvements, the sculpture garden upgrades would serve as a fitting pedestrian amenity for the city.
