>> COMMISSIONERS
The Baldwin County Board of Commissioners awarded two design and engineering contracts this past Tuesday for parks and streetscape projects funded by state and federal grant funds.
The two projects are part of the grant totaling $6 million received in June, which also included the Aquatic Center. The total projected cost for Government Park is $2,199,370, and the anticipated price tag for the Harrisburg Park improvements is $1,760,415, according to County Manager Carlos Tobar.
Tobar said the new park at the government building on North Columbia Street will be on the northeast corner of the property.
“There will be a new election building, some new exercise equipment, a trail around the park, a small fountain, and an attractive entrance,” Tobar said. “Those are the things we know for sure.”
Voting at the site currently takes place in one large room on the first floor of the Government Building. The new structure is estimated to be 1,500 square feet and includes restrooms, according to the conceptual sketch of the area.
Probate Judge and Election Superintendent Todd Blackwell said a couple of options were discussed, including a smaller area for voting equipment storage and a larger one for early voting.
“1,500 feet would be an area that could put a space out there that I suppose can be used for other activities if necessary or needed,” Blackwell said. “But it would be available for early voting during early voting times.”
Tobar said the exact size of that building is not set in stone now.
“The building will have to have restrooms for the park side,” he explained. “The budget may determine the size of the building.”
Also included in the park will be a playground, splash pad, covered pavilion, exercise stations around the trail, a lawn seating area of approximately 6,000 square feet, and some space that could possibly be used for activities such as festivals and farmers' markets.
In addition, there is some additional parking and shrubbery plants throughout.
The largest single item estimated cost in the park is the splash pad valued at $220,000. The voting building/restroom facility is $200,000 and the 2,240 square feet playground is $190,000.
The engineering and design contract for Government Park was awarded to Root Design at the low bid amount of $165,000. STANTEC was awarded the engineering and design contract for the Harrisburg Park improvements at a cost of $133,000.
The highlight of that park’s work will be a 36 x 48 community center building at an estimated cost of $500,000. Restrooms, 31 x 24 in size, are projected to cost $125,000, and playground equipment installed would be approximately $100,000.
Tobar noted that there are two additional grants that will be used to convert the existing community center into a “state-of-the-art” library and said the park is something Baldwin County can be proud of.
“In my opinion, it is one of the nicer neighborhood parks I have ever seen, in my life and my career,” he said. “It has a community garden, a walking trail, a splash pad, a community center, an orchard, a pavilion, playground equipment, and when we get done with the library and recreation stuff, it’s going to have a state-of-the-art library and a new community center.”