Adam Batters of CGA briefed the board on the Welcome Center/Orpheum parking-lot rebuild and said paving is complete and the lot should be usable once striping and a small list of finish items are done. "All paving is completed," Adam reported, and he said striping was scheduled for midweek and that the contractor planned to set light poles in mid-August and could provide temporary lighting at no cost to the district in the interim.

Adam described the contract and recent change orders: the original contract amount shown in documents is $360,709; change order 1 reduced scope and resulted in a roughly $36,000 deduct; a second change order on the agenda would add bollards, sidewalk curb along Third Avenue, and the replacement of a deteriorated manhole box that was found during work. Adam said pending change orders included small items such as receptacles at light pole bases and subgrade stabilization in areas that failed proof rolling after excavation due to wet soils.

Adam summarized that crews had to core out soft spots, add rock and geogrid in places that did not pass proof roll, and that the alley and adjacent areas were improved. He showed progress photos and said the city coordinated on utilities in the alley, where sand backfill and sensitive conduit required attention. CGA and the contractor used drying days and pumps to make paving possible after wet weather.

Eric, a district representative, said he had been on site frequently and that public feedback had been positive: "I think the pictures speak for themselves," he told the board. The board was told substantial completion per contract was July 26, and that the lot could be opened for use once striping and bollard installation are complete.

Why it matters: The Orpheum lot is a public-facing facility whose condition affects downtown circulation and school-related events. The update included a final cost summary to date, pending small change orders, and a schedule for finishing items that would allow the lot to be used this summer.