Tuscaloosa Public Projects Committee Meeting – October 13, 2026

The Tuscaloosa Public Projects Committee met on October 13, 2026, and considered four infrastructure and design contract actions. Members heard staff recommendations, asked questions about contract totals and funding sources, and approved each item by voice vote. No agenda or minutes were available; this summary is based on the meeting transcript. No public speakers appeared.

Discussion Items

• Rice Mine Road Slope Repair Project Award: OCE staff recommended awarding the Rice Mine Road slope repair project (also referred to in the transcript as the Raccoon Red Slip Repair project) to the apparent low bidder in the amount of $242,317. Bids had been opened the previous week, and the city received four bids. The committee approved the award.
• Davis Architects Contract Amendment No. 4: Staff requested approval of a fourth amendment adding $375,000 in design services for the Safety Center project. The work includes lighting changes, modifications to the outdoor field trip/lunch court area, a bus lane adjustment to provide more bus parking in front, exhibit experience improvements, and mechanical/electrical items. Staff said the existing Davis contract was approximately $11.4 million to $11.5 million, and the additional amount was already included in the overall Safety Center project budget, with no finance adjustment required. The committee approved the amendment.
• Turner & Townsend Operational Guidance Contract Increase: Staff requested an additional $50,000 not-to-exceed increase for Turner & Townsend's operational guidance services. Turner & Townsend has been working with Audrey and the project team for several months/years to prepare for facility operations and will continue on an hourly consultation basis. The funds are in the development budget. The committee approved the increase.
• TTL River District Parking Design: Staff requested approval of a professional services proposal with TTL to design approximately 100 additional parking spaces in the River District under the bridges. The city already has an ALDOT agreement permitting parking under the bridges, and last year received permission to use the area for construction storage. The parking would serve the park, amphitheater, and surrounding River District area. Discussion noted that the $339,000 design amount had been budgeted in the River District Fund, and staff clarified it had not been in the RFFI fund; staff also said they paused the project until the full amount was included in the FY27 budget. Construction would be a future, separate appropriation, with an eventual cost discussed as roughly $2.8 million and a possible seven-year repayment arrangement involving the River District Fund and the general fund. The committee approved the design proposal.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the Rice Mine Road slope repair project award for $242,317, with all in favor.
• Approved Davis Architects contract amendment number four, adding $375,000 for Safety Center design services, with all in favor.
• Approved the $50,000 not-to-exceed increase for Turner & Townsend operational guidance, with all in favor.
• Approved the TTL professional services proposal for River District parking design (about 100 additional spaces), with all in favor.
• The committee then voted to adjourn.