Katy City Council approved two contracts unanimously at its Sept. 10 meeting at Katy City Hall. Contractors are set to move forward with the Downtown Katy Project, which seeks to improve the city square and to redesign drainage infrastructure in the Riceland Terrace subdivision.

The Riceland Terrace contract was awarded to Costello Inc., which the city has used in the past to help develop the city’s master drainage plan. According to a letter to the city from Ralph Saldana, a partner with Costello, the survey and design phase of the project is expected to take about 20 calendar weeks and cost $344,000.

“The estimated construction costs are currently at $1,848,000 and are subject to change pending final design and bid collection results that will be received at a later date,” Saldana said.

Redesign and construction of Fortuna Drive was not included in the Riceland Terrace proposal as the city is pursuing grant funding for those improvements, Saldana said.

The Downtown Katy Project contract, which involves the demolition of the water plant in the town square located in the southwest corner of Avenue C and Third Street, was awarded to Cherry Demolition in Houston. The total contract amount, including contingency funding, was about $104,000.

A replacement to fill the City Council seat left vacant by former Council Member J. Gary Jones' resignation was not chosen. Mayor Chuck Brawner said the council has 20 days to select a replacement.