Public Works Committee Approves New City Greenhouse

The City’s Public Works Committee Tuesday approved a request by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department to authorize staff to advertise for bids for the Parks Greenhouse Project.

If approved by the City Council next Tuesday, work can begin on a new City greenhouse as early as November. The facility’s size will be larger than the current structure and will include environmental controls for heating and cooling with remote access. The greenhouse project cost is estimated at $351,000.

The City greenhouse has been located off Canyon Lake Drive near McKeague Field and the Sunken Gardens area for decades. The greenhouse develops more than 25,000 flowers and plants that are planted in flower gardens in City parks, frontage areas, medians and for use by City departments.

City Parks Division Manager Scott Anderson says the new greenhouse would be constructed adjacent to the current facility, providing a flexible timeline for construction. Anderson said 30 feet of the current greenhouse facility will remain for seeding operations.

“After the completion of the new greenhouse, the majority of the current facility will be dismantled, which will provide room for the parking lot which will be lost during the construction,” said Anderson.

The Parks Division agreed to purchase a new greenhouse in February. Site preparation work is needed before the greenhouse building is delivered. The work will include grading, extending electrical and plumbing infrastructure, foundation and floor work.

The City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Council Chambers of City Hall. The meeting is moved to Tuesday due to Monday’s Labor Day holiday.