Taking one step closer to completing improvements at Community Park, the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Commission approved $1.6 million Tuesday to purchase equipment and supplies for the park.
The amount covers the cost of tables, benches, turf, sculptures, shelters, lighting, signage, landscaping, trees, playground and sprayground equipment, and a restroom, Assistant Parks Director JJ Gates said.
"We need all these things for improvements at Community Park" he said.
The supplemental appropriation will be within the Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department's fund balance, which has an anticipated total unassigned fund balance of nearly $2.9 million, Parks Management Analyst Tina Werner said. Approval of the $1.6 million supplemental appropriation will bring that unassigned fund balance amount down to nearly $1.3 million, Werner added.
The Parks Department will seek bids for the equipment and commissioners will vote on the bids at a later date, Parks Director Todd Spalding said.
Kansas City firm Warner Nease Bost Architects designed and bidded out improvements for Community Park last fall. The bid called for construction of an 18,650-square-foot playground, a sprayground, two park shelters, a restroom and storage facility, along with other items, according to a public notice from the city.
Last year, the Parks Department also purchased 901 Marshall St. from the Catholic Dioceses of Jefferson City as part of improvements for Community Park, at 725 Marshall St.
On Tuesday, the commission approved an easement and transfer of some roadway property from the Eastside Family Activity Center - also known as the Jefferson City Community Center Association - to improve sanitary sewer services as part of the Community Park project. In exchange, the city will plant 15-20 fruit trees in a location agreed upon by the city and nonprofit. The city will also help with the design and rehabilitation of the Jefferson City Community Center building, including framing and basement rehabilitation, as part of the agreement.
Before the $1.6 million supplemental appropriation, the total Community Park project cost to date is $327,808, Werner said.
The commission listed Community Park as its first priority from the parks master plan, which outlines improvements to the parks system over the next two decades.
McClung and Ellis-Porter Riverside parks are the commission's second and third priorities.
The commission approved a contracted with The Architects Alliance on Tuesday do preliminary design work for McClung and Ellis-Porter Riverside parks.
Under the contact, The Architects Alliance will provide professional services not to exceed $45,000 unless the Parks and Recreation Commission approves a change order.
Current scope improvements at Ellis-Porter Riverside Park, at 300 Ellis-Porter Drive, include a new community amphitheater, community garden and caretaker's residence renovation, among other improvements.
Current scope improvements at McClung Park, at 930 McClung Park Drive, include indoor and outdoor pavilion renovations, indoor pavilion window replacement and metal roofs for both pavilions, among other improvements.