ITEM: 5.2 New Business - Jim Kappelhoff
Title
UPDATES ON PARK PROJECTS
Background
Legacy Creek Park
The first bids for Legacy Park construction were received in September 2012. However, they were rejected by the City Council upon the recommendation from staff due to being significantly higher than the estimated budget. New bids are currently being advertised and due February 12, 2013. Generally bids are more competitive at this time of year as contractors begin scheduling projects for the upcoming construction season. With this in mind, the timeline for the Legacy Creek Park is follows:
Bids received - February 12, 2013
Park Board reviews bids - February 26, 2013
City Council awards contract - March 7, 2013
Park construction begins - May 1, 2013
Park construction completed - July 31, 2013
Playground equipment and site furnishings are purchased and delivered.
Lexington Athletic Complex
Carlson McCain was contracted as the project consultant for the Lexington Athletic Complex and has been meeting with City staff since September. A new concept plan was developed with major changes. These changes are due primarily to the site mitigation of wetlands required by the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD). Nine wetlands are outlined along with the ditch that traverses the site north to south that need mitigation creating more restrictive development of first proposed park facilities. The consultant and the City's Stormwater Manager are in negotiations with RCWD to lessen the amount of wetland mitigation. However, we are currently working with a concept plan that is in compliance with RCWD requirements. The changes that have occurred are one less multi-use field and two full size baseball fields rather than one softball and one little league field. The full size baseball fields meet more of the needs of our youth baseball programs. The concept plan is attached for the Park Boards review.
We also have a draft of the park building that will contain a concession area, restroom, maintenance garage, and meeting room. The draft of the park building is attached.
With the delay in determining wetland mitigation a new construction schedule will be established, but the final project plans are expected May 1, 2013 rather than March 1, 2013. Estimated construction begins July 1, 2013. The complex could still be playable in mid-2014.
Aquatore Park Field #1 Relocation
The area for the replacement of Aquatore Park Field #1 has been cleared for construction. However, the Coon Creek Watershed District (CCWD) is requesting a wetland study be completed prior to construction to ensure no wetlands exist in the ball field foot print. The consultant, SRF, will conduct the study in the spring and submit the results to CCWD. If the study shows wetlands do exist, mitigation on site will have to be performed, if not, bids for the project can be advertised and construction can begin this spring.
Recommendation
Information