After considering the recommendation from Veenstra & Kimm Engineer Forrest Aldrich, the Stuart City Council decided last week to make RDG Planning & Design the architectural subconsultant for its downtown facade improvement project.

RDG was chosen over two other firms that sent in proposals to be the architects for the project, and Aldrich explains why their submission stood out above the rest.

“RDG has a lot of experience in other small communities doing downtown facade improvements.  For example, they are doing the facade improvements in Adel and Guthrie Center right now.  And they also have experience with tax credits, which part of the funding for the project.”

Aldrich will address the Stuart City Council in a special session this evening to lay out a timeline for the project.  Once RDG and Veenstra & Kimm are under contract with the City, Aldrich says he would like architects to meet with interested Stuart business owners starting this spring.

Aldrich adds that in an ideal world, he’d like to see facade construction work begin this fall, with project completion likely being sometime in the spring of 2015.

The public is welcome to attend Stuart’s special meeting tonight, which will begin at 5:30pm in City Hall.