Pearland City Council approved a $407,600 contract with Hall Barnum Lucchesi Architects for architectural design services for renovations to the city hall complex at its meeting April 27.

The approximately 30-year old buildings that make up the complex—city hall and the neighboring community center—needed improvements because of outdated or inadequate mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, city officials said. The facility renovations also will address issues with staff security and workflow.

The project—which is part of Pearland's Capital Improvement Plan—will be implemented in stages, with construction slated to begin in approximately eight months. Construction is expected to take one year.

City council also awarded a $253,003 bid to Aber Fence and Supply Company for the construction of a barrier fence for the Shadycrest subdivision on the new expansion of Pearland Parkway.

The fence was not required after the Texas Department of Transportation's environmental noise study, but Shadycrest residents requested it for safety, officials said. The precast concrete fence will be eight feet high, stretching approximately 1,095 feet. The project includes a 24-by-eight-foot emergency access gate at Shadycrest Lane.

The cost will be paid for by excess funds from the Pearland Parkway extension project. Construction is expected to begin later this week and be completed within 90 days.

City council also approved a pair of agreements regarding paving and drainage improvements in the Regency Park subdivision. Council unanimously approved a construction management and inspection services contract totaling $312,811 to ARKK Engineering and a $3.3-million construction bid to SER Construction Partners.

The city's oldest concrete-paved subdivision, Regency Park no longer has adequate street pavement or waterlines, officials said. The project's preliminary engineering report suggested complete replacement of both systems.

Approximately 5,400 feet of pavement will be replaced throughout the subdivision, and a required emergency access gate will be installed through the Pearland Junior High East parking lot. In addition, a new water main system will replace the existing waterline, and curb inlets will be installed to prevent flooding.

The city will host a public meeting with Regency Park residents prior to the start of construction. The date of that meeting is to be determined. Construction should take approximately one year after starting.