Overview

On May 7, 2022 residents of San Antonio voted for an historic $1.2 billion General Obligation Bond package that includes $6 million in infrastructure improvements for Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, with projects being completed over a five-year period ending in 2027. The city-funded improvements will foster equitable public access to the Center; support economic development focused on conservation, tourism, and education; and create resilient infrastructure to improve operational success; while enhancing public awareness and knowledge of the area’s outstanding natural, historic, and cultural resources. 

In January 2023, Audubon signed a funding agreement with the City of San Antonio. On December 7, 2023 San Antonio City Council approved an ordinance executing two funding agreements related to Mitchell Lake Audubon Center: (1) funding to the National Audubon Society in an amount up to $6 million for the design and construction of improvements at the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center; and (2) funding to the San Antonio Water System (SAWS)  in an amount up to $265,000 for the design and construction of the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center Entrance Gate. Funding of $6 million to Audubon is from the 2022 General Obligation Bond Program, and $265,000 to SAWS is from Certificates of Obligation and included in the FY 2024 – 2029 Capital Improvement Program. 

The National Audubon Society, through its Texas State Office and Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, will manage the bond project in partnership with the City of San Antonio and San Antonio Water System (SAWS). The opportunity presented by City bond funds is the first step in a larger plan and slate of opportunities to reimagine and expand the impact of Mitchell Lake Audubon Center over the next ten years.

Phase 1 Improvements Projects include:

• Front Gate Refresh and Reconstruction. Funded by the Capital Improvements Program and led by San Antonio Water System. Design phase is complete and construction is expected to begin Summer 2024.
• Full service restroom and parking area North of Polders. Designated parking, along with full service restrooms, creates a trailhead where visitors can safely plan their hike or drive along the trails.
• Improved base at Polder drives and drive around Bird Pond. With the improved base along those roads, it will allow for all-weather access for visitors, increase the safety of the site, and allows for an additional four miles of trail accessible to visitors in their vehicles.
• Educational pavilion improvements and expansion near Leeper House. Expanding the education pavilion area to include a larger, second pavilion and outdoor classroom will allow for special events, facility rentals, and increase the number of students we can safely host for field trips.
• Existing asphalt roadway improvements and control gates. With increased traffic onsite, there will be an increase in the use of our driving trails and roads. This requires additional measures to control the flow of traffic onsite and keep ecologically sensitive areas secure.
• New parking at entry and improvements at existing parking. The current parking situation is not ideal and improved parking area will allow for the increase in visition.
• New viewing stations along polder roads (3 funded by COSA). The viewing stations will allow for premium bird viewing, as well as provide respite for visitors walking the trails.

Opportunities

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS for Owner's Representative/Project Manager is now CLOSED.

The REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION PROFESSIONAL SERVICES is now OPEN. Please see the below.

National Audubon Society, Inc. issues this RFQ for Architectural services as may be required for Improvements to Mitchell Lake Audubon Center - San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas. To request an RFQ package, please contact Stephanie Bowman, PMSI, at sbowman@pmsitx.com with a copy to Joe Cucolo, PMSI, at jcucolo@pmsitx.com. RFQ proposals will be opened upon receipt. National Audubon Society, Inc. reserves the right to reject any and/or all qualifications to waive technicalities, to re-advertise or to proceed in the best interest of the organization.

Qualifications must be in the form of (1) electronic copy limited to 10MB for each RFQ response. Send electronic Statement of Qualifications to Stephanie Bowman, PMSI, at sbowman@pmsitx.com with a copy to Joe Cucolo, PMSI, at jcucolo@pmsitx.com. Qualifications must be received no later than November 22, 2024, 1:00 p.m., local time.