Local vendor wins airport food deal; council OKs bridge work

Marie's Bistro will be the new restaurant at Waco Regional Airport, replacing the vending machines that have served as the airport's only food option since the airport's terminal renovation. Marie's is owned by Lindsey & Associates International Communications, the same company that owns Marie's Wine Bar at 723 Austin Ave.

City Manager Bradley Ford said Marie's will operate in both pre- and post-security spaces and will partner with local Waco restaurants to bring different dishes from each restaurant into one location. The council-approved contract is for three years with two one-year extension options and will open in about four months, Ford said.

Also Tuesday, the council awarded a $150,000 contract to Quiddity Engineering for planning the rehabilitation of the Herring Avenue Bridge over the Brazos River.

Ford said a regular Texas Department of Transportation inspection of the bridge showed needed repairs, including a damaged guardrail, exposed electrical wires and extensive wear and tear on the bridge deck. The council's package also shows that the footbridge attached to the bridge needs work, including the timber decking, timber supports and the annex to the main bridge. The footbridge was added in 2004 as part of a $3 million river trail loop project.

Ford said the repair project is in the design phase, and that after the project goes out to bid, there will be a construction deadline and the planned closure of the bridge.

Another Brazos Bridge project approved Tuesday involved redoing the decorative lighting on the I-35 bridge between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and University Parks Drive. The council approved an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation that allowed the city to take over the maintenance of the bridge's lighting.

Ford said when the lighting was installed during Phase 4B of the I-35 construction project, it left a lot to be desired. The original setup included about 1,000 lights and fixtures that could be programmed to illuminate different colors, including Baylor University's green and gold.

Ford said the lights were not waterproof and would malfunction due to moisture and had to be manually changed to change to different colors. Ford said the updated lights would rectify those problems and be installed next year.

In other business Tuesday, the council:

We heard the results of a traffic study by Kimley Horn on the planned 25th street corridor project. Recommendations included adding a roundabout on Maple Avenue to reduce the speed that was observed in the study. The plan would also add themed elements to honor the area's Hispanic heritage, as well as public art and landscaping.

Local Historic Landmark status approved for the Kestner Building at 501 Elm Ave. The building has been vacant since 2003, after serving nearly a century as a popular dry goods and clothing store. Officials with the owner, Rivergate LLC, have said they hope to preserve the building's exterior and develop the interior as leasable space.

District 5 Council Member Jim Holmes presented discussion and action on a revised drought contingency plan, later saying the council has yet to receive the research he requested on the plan , which would make outdoor watering restrictions permanent.

Holding a public hearing for a rezoning request for the former Waco ISD administration building at 3420 West Waco Drive. Nearby residents opposed efforts by Turner Brothers Real Estate to change the zoning from residential to office so they could develop the property.

Opponents said the zoning would increase traffic and noise in their neighborhood. Turner Brothers representatives said the space would not be developed commercially and would instead be leased for office use and was not likely to cause an increase in noise.

After a brief discussion, the council voted to hold the vote until the May 7 council meeting.