As a part of the Allen Parks, Recreation & Open Space Master Plan, the Molsen Farm Master Plan update revisits the need to preserve natural open spaces within the community and to make spaces available for passive recreation.  After purchase of the initial 52.4 acres in 2006, the Allen Community Development Corporation approved $150,000 for the Molsen Farm project in 2008. In 2009, these funds were proposed as the City's required match toward the Master Plan and Design of Molsen Farm for Collin County Parks and Open Space funding assistance program. 

In the Fall of 2009, the Collin County Commissioners Court approved recommendations by the Collin County Parks Foundation Advisory Board which included the award of $150,000 toward design of improvements at Molsen Farm.  In 2010 the city completed the original master plan, and subsequently the design and construction of a one-half mile section of the Rowlett Trail through Molsen Farm.  This project included the first trail passage beneath US Highway 75 and one of very few trail tunnel crossings through the DART right-of-way. 

Following the trail construction and completion of the initial master plan, the city executed the first phase of Molsen Farm design.  This effort was limited to initial surveying, data collection and visioning concepts developed for the existing homestead, which were completed in 2013. 

In 2016 the city acquired an additional 14 acre frontage parcel along Greenville Ave.  The addition of this large and highly visible parcel brings forward the need to revisit the original master plan which did not account for such expansion of the farm, or possibilities of trail connectivity and associated amenities such as a trailhead that will provide the residents access to the Rowlett Trail corridor.

In December of 2020, the Purchasing Division issued a Request for Qualifications for various Professional Services for Parks and Recreation Capital Improvement Projects.  On January 30, 2021, forty-three (43) vendors responded to the RFQ and Parkhill, Smith & Cooper, Inc., is among firms that are pre-qualified for two categories: Landscape Architectural and Civil Engineering.

Parkhill, Smith & Cooper, Inc., (PSC) will be responsible for civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering, surveying, environmental, architectural, landscape architectural, and irrigation design services in developing the new master plan, based on an historical farm setting.  PSC will also prepare design and construction documents for a trailhead and trail connections in accordance with The City of Allen Trails and Bikeways Master Plan. 

Funds for the master plan and trail design in the amount of $244,409 are to be funded through existing bond dollars ($1,888,626) identified in the Parks and Recreation CIP Project PR0805.  These funds cover this design contract of $222,190 and additionally provide for a 10% contingency of $22,219 to establish the project budget of $244,409.

This contract is strictly for the master plan of the overall farm property and design of the trailhead and trail connection.  The city will construct the trailhead and trail in the near future through a separate construction contract.

I make a motion to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Parkhill, Smith & Cooper, Inc., (dba) Parkhill / Schrickel Rollins for the development of the Molsen Farm Master Plan and Design of the Trailhead and Trail Connection in the amount of $222,190.