Work on the Argyle Nature Trail project is moving forward.

A $75,000 design contract for the initiative was approved by Argyle Town Council members during a June 16 meeting.

The overview

The contract with Westwood Professional Services is for a sidewalk trail on 4.61 acres of town-owned property on Cook Street.

The scope of work includes a 0.4 mile, 5-foot wide concrete trail with multiple directional connections and 10–12 parking spaces on Cook Street, according to town documents.

The work will be done in three phases, the documents state, including:

• Phase 1: Preliminary designs with cost estimates based on tree inventory and assessments and optional lighting options.
• Phase 2: Design plans, which will include topographic and boundary surveys, demolition and tree protection plans, landscape and revegetation design, grading and drainage plans, water service for a drinking fountain and ensuring the design plans accommodates individuals with disabilities.
• Phase 3: Bid construction support, consulting with a tree expert, limited site meetings and submitting construction documents for town council approval.

Loose garbage such as tires and branches has been removed from the property using the $40,000 in funds that was approved by council Feb. 26 for clean-up of the site, Argyle Town Manager Mike Sims said.

Also on the agenda

Argyle Town Council approved an agreement to be written up with the Argyle Business Association, an organization that offers networking opportunities and support for businesses in Argyle.

The agreement will be for Argyle Business Association to provide networking and marketing services to the town with an amount not to exceed $5,000.

“Anything that we can do as a town to help support [the Argyle Business Association] and support our local small businesses I think is fantastic,” council member Cynthia Hermann said.

Argyle's Municipal Development District joined the Argyle Business Association on April 3 with a $2,500 executive level membership and a $2,500 event sponsorship commitment, according to town documents. This will allow the Municipal Development District to sponsor events the Argyle Business Association holds. The Municipal Development District will also have access to benefits such as networking programs and business development workshops.

“I think it’s critical for Argyle businesses to see that the town supports them,” Argyle Business Association CEO Lynn Seeden said. “I felt that I needed the town of Argyle to step in and say that we do want to be a part of this and we do want to support this.”