AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2025-208R, approving a Conceptual Planning Agreement with Upward Communities for redevelopment in downtown San Marcos known as the Hopkins Redevelopment Project, including a new City Hall, and a potential public-private partnership, in an amount not to exceed $767,970.00; authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the agreement on behalf of the city; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: October 21, 2025
Department: City Manager’s Office
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: $767,970.00
Account Number: Project C542
Funds Available: Yes
Account Name: City Hall/Gateway Project
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: November 6, 2024: City Council appoints members to the Hopkins City Center/New City Hall Advisory Committee; City Council awards a contract to Economic and Planning Systems, Inc. to provide public-private partnership services and transaction advice for the Hopkins City Center/New City Hall Project.
City Council Strategic Initiative: [Please select from the dropdown menu below]
Quality of Life & Sense of Place
Public Safety, Core Services & Fiscal Excellence
Economic Vitality
Comprehensive Plan Element (s): [Please select the Plan element(s) and Goal # from dropdown menu below]
☒ Economic Development - Choose an item.
☒ Environment & Resource Protection - Choose an item.
☒ Land Use - Choose an item.
☐ Neighborhoods & Housing - Choose an item.
☒ Parks, Public Spaces & Facilities - Choose an item.
☐ Transportation - Choose an item.
☒ Core Services
☐ Not Applicable
Master Plan: [Please select the corresponding Master Plan from the dropdown menu below (if applicable)]
Choose an item.
Background Information:
The Hopkins City Center/New City Hall Project has a number of goals:
• Build a new City Hall.
• Leverage the existing City facilities and parkland to create a cohesive, well-designed, connected space that the community can enjoy.
• Safe, connected multi-modal transportation within the area.
• Attractive public spaces and roadways.
• Environmental protection of the nearby river.
• Spark new development in the area that meets market and community needs.
A contract was awarded to Economic and Planning Systems, Inc. (EPS) in November 2024 to provide public/private partnership services and transaction advice to the city for developing a plan to accomplish these goals. In addition to EPS, the consultant team also includes Freese & Nichols and McCann Adams Studio.
Also in November 2024, City Council appointed the 23-member Hopkins City Center/New City Hall Advisory Committee. This Committee has met four times, February 20, March 20, May 19, and October 15 of this year, to learn more about the project and review concepts developed by the consultant team and at the most recent meeting, a proposal from a private developer.
At the April 15 City Council meeting, direction was provided to proceed with concept planning for the City-owned property north of Hopkins. Over the summer, the City received an unsolicited proposal for the development of a new city hall along with other possible components. In the interest of transparency, we prepared a Request for Information solicitation process to gauge if there are any other parties interested in submitting a proposal. That solicitation closed in August, and staff is bringing forward an item to enter into a Conceptual Planning agreement with Upward Communities to further consider the construction of a new city hall along with other potential development that would activate a portion of Downtown. The Conceptual Planning Agreement is split into two phases: the Concept Refinement Phase and the Predevelopment Phase. This item will only approve the City’s participation in the Concept Refinement Phase; a separate item will be brought forward for Council consideration if prior to proceeding into the Predevelopment Phase.
The proposal was presented to the New City Hall/Hopkins City Center Advisory Committee on Wednesday, October 15 and received broad support to proceed exploring this option.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
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Alternatives:
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Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the Conceptual Planning Agreement with Upward Communities.