The new Summit House to top Pikes Peak is progressing steadily, with an environmental study to be done by December and the final architectural design expected in February, project leaders advised the City Council on Monday.

Meanwhile, another public meeting is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 18 at the City Auditorium to further review details of the project, said Jack Galvan, manager of Pikes Peak America’s Mountain.

The $45 million- to $50 million-project will require fundraising of $27 million. About $15 million is expected to be raised by bonds, and the Pikes Peak America’s Mountain Fund is providing $6 million, plus $1 million in 2017.

The city’s Lodgers and Automobile Rental Tax is chipping in $1 million over four years, and Colorado Springs Utilities estimates they will spend $500,000 on utility construction costs.

G.E. Johnson Construction Co. expects to start work on the 26,000-square-foot complex, consisting of four buildings, next June. It will demolish the Army’s High Altitude Research Laboratory (HARL) and expects to turn the new Summit House over to the city by mid-June 2019.

Then the existing Summit House, circa 1960s, will be destroyed.

The proposed Pikes Peak Observatory hopes to occupy the space left behind by the moved HARL, and Robert Sallee, board chairman of the National Space Science & Technology Institute, asked the city for a sign of support.

Deputy Chief of Staff Bret Waters was asked to confer with Mayor John Suthers and determine how best and most effectively the city can signal its support for the observatory.

In other business during the Monday work session, the council:

◘ Responded to a renewed plea from Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services for $450,000 worth of water to keep turf and trees alive. Bill Cherrier, chief planning and finance officer for Colorado Springs Utilities, said Parks could go on “budget billing,” as many residents opt to do, to even out its water budget.

Councilman Don Knight, noting that neither Utilities nor the city’s general fund has $450,000 to spare, suggested Parks and Utilities officials consider taking permitted money from the Trails, Open Space and Parks fund, better known as TOPS, and Councilman Tom Strand suggested dipping into the city’s reserves. City and Utilities officials will review all options to determine whether some combination of funds can fill the gap. Meanwhile, Parks will continue watering as needed, with the council’s support, on the assumption its request will be granted.

◘ Heard some proposed changes for the City Code on “Conduct of Elections” from City Clerk Sarah Johnson. Councilman Andres “Andy” Pico questioned the change to 20 days to gather petition signatures. “That’s pretty tight!” Pico said. “I think it’s going to be a barrier to people wanting to jump into the system.”

Knight agreed, saying, “Ouch.” He and Pico occupy two of the six district council seats coming up for election in April.

Johnson recommended petition circulators use the govotecolorado.com app to ensure a voter’s address is accurate when obtaining the signature. She said she will bring another report before the council in two weeks to answer the questions posed, and she invited council members to meet with her two at a time to get more information on the proposed changes.