Sugar Land City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve a letter of intent between the city, the Sugar Land Development Corporation, and ACE Theatrical, LLC for the development of a concert and performing arts venue.
“The creation of entertainment venues is a key component of the City of Sugar Land’s development strategy in becoming a destination not only for employment, retail, residential and medical services, but also for entertainment,” Economic Development Director Regina Morales said.
The city had formed a public/private partnership with ACE Theatrical last year, and outlined a process to achieve developing the venue, which would be a multi-use facility to support concerts, plays, as well as other entertainment and community uses. The development of the facility was put on hold until the completion of the city’s minor league baseball stadium, Constellation Field.
According to Morales, under the letter of intent, ACE is responsible for the payment of planning services, such as schematic design and cost estimates, in an amount not to exceed $912,000.
“Upon completion of the schematic designs and cost estimating, should the city and SLDC determine not to proceed with project, the SLDC will reimburse ACE for 80 percent of actual costs not to exceed $730,000,” Morales said. “The SLDC has budgeted $1,200,000 in FY12 to begin the planning efforts for this venue. Should the project continue, the actual expenses paid by ACE will be deducted from its future contribution to the financing of the project.”
According to a news release, The proposed facility would be a 6,500 seat concert and performing arts venue located at a 21-acre site near the intersection of United States Highway 59 and University Boulevard.
“Making Sugar Land a destination for culture and entertainment has been a long-held vision of our citizens and city council,” Mayor James Thompson said. “We believe this will fill a much-needed gap in entertainment needs in this part of the greater Houston region and bring many more people here to enjoy the arts and all that our city offers.” News Release
The city council voted to appoint Shawn Burnett and Lars Hagan to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The city council voted to award a $443,032 bid to Walker Engineering, Inc. for the construction of Woodchester and Remote Well Motor Control Centers Replacement Project.
“The Motor Control Centers at the city’s water plants and water wells contain electrical equipment and components required for the plants and wells to operate in an automated mode in order to maintain adequate water system volume and pressure,” Assistant City Engineer Robert Valenzuela said. “The existing motor controls at the Woodchester water plant and four offsite wells are recommended for replacement due to age, thirty years average, maintenance issues, and compatibility with modern components.“
The city council voted to approve a $270,045 contract with Clark Condon Associates, Inc. for a preliminary engineering report for the Telfair Parkland development.
The report will study and identify the best type of amenities for the park site, while still being in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations due to the park’s proximity to Sugar Land Regional Airport. The city had purchased the property for the park from NNP-Telfair, LP, which developed the Telfair subdivision.
All items were approved. All votes were unanimous with all members present. Agenda