By Jim Smilie

The Alexandria City Council approved amending the 2023-2024 Capital Budget by assigning more than $3.7 million for planned Phase 2 work on the Alexandria Riverfront Amphitheatre during a brief meeting Tuesday afternoon.

City Council members took just 14 minutes to move through an agenda with 34 items. The first 10 items were the consent agenda of items introduced without discussion for consideration at the next meeting. The remaining 24 items dealt primary with routine matters, including approving contracts to do landscape maintenance at various city properties and to purchase necessary supplies.

Regarding the Amphitheatre project, council members approved allocating $2,815,000 of funds dedicated to the project from the Red River Waterway Commission and $929,000 of City funds for a total of $3,744,00. Prior to the amendment approved Tuesday, $3,658,531 was budgeted as “unappropriated” for the project.

Richard Johnson with the City of Alexandria explained the funding needed to be allocated in order for the bid process to begin for the Phase 2 work.

Phase 1 of the Amphitheatre project involved installation of the band shell which was recently completed. Phase 2 involves adding Z ramp walkways on the levee to make it easier for people to get to and from the Amphitheatre, new lighting, and the building of two new entranceways. One entranceway is planned to line up with the end of DeSoto Street while the second entrance is expected to line up with the end of Johnston Street. The current entrance utilizes the old Murray Street Bridge ramp.

In other action, council members also approved authorizing Mayor Jacques Roy to enter into a general service agreement for the fifth and final phase of work to replace street lighting along MacArthur Drive through the city. When the measure was approved, Council President Lee Rubin asked when work on the project would begin. Utility Director Michael Marcotte said it would likely be six months before work begins as the contractor agreement calls for 26 weeks of lead time.

In the final item, council members approved local firm Pan American Engineers to provide services for maintenance and overhaul services at the city’s D.G. Hunter electric generation facility.

The next meeting of the Alexandria City Council is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 8.