Gateway Feature Project

Project Overview

The City of Fair Oaks Ranch is excited to announce the Gateway Feature Project, a significant initiative aimed at capturing and showcasing the city's unique identity. This project will create a distinctive gateway at the intersection of Fair Oaks Parkway and Leslie Pfeiffer Drive, serving as a prominent landmark that distinguishes Fair Oaks Ranch from surrounding areas.

The Gateway Feature is designed to reflect the community's character and spirit, providing residents and visitors with a welcoming entrance that embodies the essence of Fair Oaks Ranch. A dedicated Gateway Feature committee was established to oversee the design of the project. 

A "Ranch" Concept

The Gateway Feature Committee, comprising dedicated members including Councilwoman Laura Koerner, Councilman Scott Parker, and several other community members, worked tirelessly to ensure the feature represents the heart of Fair Oaks Ranch. The concept focuses on maintaining the natural beauty of the hill country while staying true to our roots as a ranch community, originally developed by Ralph Fair.

The design incorporates elements inspired by the original entrance to the Ralph Fair House, the Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club, and City Hall. The committee has emphasized the use of limestone, rustic wood, and native vegetation to create a feature that blends naturally with our surroundings while standing out as an iconic landmark.

While the initial concept included horse and cattle figures, these will not be included in the final design. Instead, the focus will be on creating a scalable and adaptable feature that can be expanded in the future to other entry points of the city. The design may include sculptures, lighting, and other artistic elements as the project evolves.

Project Location

Planned Location: Intersection of Fair Oaks Parkway and Leslie Pfeiffer Drive. The Gateway Feature was designed to be easily replicated at other entry points, and future locations may be discussed and designated by City Council.

Project Schedule

The project is structured into key phases to ensure systematic progress and timely completion:

1. Design Phase: FY 24
2. Construction Phase: FY 25

This streamlined schedule is designed to efficiently move from planning to execution, ensuring the Gateway Feature is completed promptly.

Project Costs

When first envisioned, the Gateway Feature carried an estimated cost of $500,000. However, after completing the design phase and securing competitive construction bids, the final price dropped significantly to approximately $224,840—less than half the original estimate.

The breakdown of costs is as follows:

• Design Phase: $25,000
• Construction: $199,840
  
  

Funding Sources

To fund the project, the City chose not to pursue a bond levy, which would have involved issuing debt and potentially increasing property taxes. Instead, the Municipal Development District (MDD) will cover the full project cost through a grant. This approach was recommended by the Bond Advisory Committee as a way to complete the project without creating new obligations for local taxpayers.

Grant Amount: $224,840

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)