Plans for the remodeling of the Katy Visitors Center, along with the installation of permanent exhibits, were unveiled at the April 22 meeting of the Katy City Council. The visitors center, located in an old city building at 5718 Second Street, will “showcase all that Katy has to offer,” said presenter Christopher Laack of VLK Architects. “It will look at our future while reflecting on our past.”

Associate Vice President and Creative Director Chris Frison of DG Studios, which won the bid to redesign the center, further described the forthcoming changes. The updated center will have a kids’ zone depicting the area’s industries of rice farming, oil and gas and the railroad. A 136” interactive touch screen will enable residents and visitors to drill down and zoom in on information on how to live, work and play in Katy. The screen will also feature a map, along with information about upcoming events and area schools. Two virtual characters who have lived in Katy all their lives – one a student and one a retired person – will also interact with visitors. Themed racks for informational brochures will be installed along the walls; these can easily be changed out and updated, Frison said. A large history wall will feature a QR code which can be scanned for additional information on area landmarks.

The project was originally bid at $1.2 million but Laack said that it was now projected to come in at $952,370.53. Once contracts are in place, the renovations will take between four and five months, he said, depending on the availability of materials and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Following the presentation, council went into closed session to consult with an attorney regarding the purchase, exchange or lease of properties near Pitts and Morton Road, according to the agenda. No announcements or discussion took place following council’s return to the open meeting.

Public hearings on zoning issues dominated the middle portion of the meeting.

· A special use permit was granted to the Apostolic Church LAWANA of Katy, allowing them to operate at 5038 East Fifth Street in an area which is zoned C-1 commercial. Two area residents spoke against the measure, citing insufficient parking and safety concerns that included a lack of crosswalk, no signal light and heavy traffic along Fifth Street. The church has 90 days to comply with the permitting process, which includes obtaining an occupancy permit.

· A special use permit was denied to On Time Care Home LLC, which was seeking approval to operate a residential treatment facility for emotionally disturbed children. The property at 6002 Franz Court is located in a historic residential area; nine public speakers weighed in on the issue. Six of those speakers including former city councilmember Ray Booth, who lives in the area, opposed the zoning change with most expressing fears about the home’s potential threats to safety in the neighborhood. Increased traffic and parking were also mentioned as objections to the facility.

In other action, council:

· Moved forward with the 10th Street Bridge replacement project, awarding a $2,885,803.00 bid to John Reed and Company LLC of Houston and approving a $99,250.00 proposal for ARKK Engineers LLC to manage the project. The current bridge will be demolished and during the reconstruction process, traffic will be re-routed along clearly marked detours. The project is slated to begin in July 2024 and to be completed in February 2025, said David Kaspar of ARKK.

· Approved the use of $52,801 in METRO funds for the acquisition of additional right-of-way for the Katy Hockley Road widening project.

· Approved the use of $96,369 in METRO funds for the acquisition of additional right-of-way for the Katy Hockley Cut-Off Road reconstruction project.

The mayor and council members also presented a variety of special proclamations:

· Recognizing April 24, 2024, as Administrative Professionals Day, read by Mayor Thiele

· Recognizing May 2024 as National Mental Health Awareness Month, read by Councilmember Janet Corte

· Recognizing May 4, 2024, as International Firefighters Day, read by Councilmember Dan Smith

· Recognizing May 5-11, 2024, as Municipal Clerks Week, read by Councilmember Gina Hicks

· Recognizing May 5-11, 2024, as Public Service Recognition Week, read by Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris

· Recognizing May 6-10, 2024, as Teacher Appreciation Week, read by Councilmember Rory Robertson

The next meeting of city council is May 13th at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 901 Avenue C in Katy.