SPANISH FORT, Ala.—City leaders will soon have formal design plans for the first phase of a proposed city complex intended to centralize services and improve efficiency.

The council approved unanimously a resolution during Monday’s regular meeting authorizing Mayor Joe Bonner to enter into a $219,500 contract with Daphne-based Forrest Daniell and Associates PC for architectural services.

“This contract puts us in a position to move to Phase II of getting a bid package and bidding it out,” Bonner said.

The authorization does not greenlight construction, though.

It does authorize Forrest Daniell to proceed with the completion of the schematic-design phase for the proposed multi-purpose building as well as a drive and detention pond.

“Once we have the bids, we may set it on the shelf, or we may choose to continue on, but we’re not crossing that bridge on this particular item,” Bonner said.

The advisory committee charged with exploring the feasibility of transforming an 18-acre site at the intersection of highways 72 and 31 into the long-discussed city complex selected the Daphne-based design firm in July, but city leaders have kept a close eye on economic conditions and weighed carefully the city’s needs before moving the project forward.

“We’ve been very careful to move forward with this in a way that allows us to put it on the shelf at any time if we decide it’s not financially responsible,” Bonner said.

The project, which has been discussed repeatedly since the city’s incorporation in 1993, could include the eventual construction of a multipurpose building; administrative building; public works building; Baldwin Rural Area System terminal; senior center; library; post office; two additional buildings to accommodate future growth; and a recreational area.