Boulder Town Park Project
The following is an update from Scott Brody regarding the park project. June 26, 2006
Park Friends-
Since my last update on the park, there have been some minor developments. The Boulder Town Council held an executive session to discuss our options. As expected, they recommend that we not proceed with the UDOT partnership and chose 'option 4' (see attachment). Boulder's share of the 20% match would be $15,315 which has been reimbursed by grant monies so there would be no out-of-pocket costs to the town. They have sent a letter to UDOT informing them of their decision. UDOT is still interested in salvaging the partnership by coming up with more money/ scaling back the project etc. so it could be rebid. The council is willing to hear their pitch but stands by its decision barring a much better offer from UDOT.
Considering the inflated cost of the proposed project, the Council is wise not to procceed. I think the big picture for the park is very good; we have grant money to rethink the design for the park and there may be outside money to fund our new plan. When the decision with UDOT becomes final, we will then be able to proceed with 'Plan B'.
This may be confusing to some, so please give me a call or stop me in town to talk about it.
Scott Brodie, Chair, Park Committee
Park Project Options (this is a pdf. file, a letter from UDOT to Mayor Muse)
The following is an update from Scott Brody regarding the park project. May 20, 2006
UDOT put out for bid the first phase which includes the restroom, parking areas, landscaping, lights etc. They received only one bid which was opened on May 9. Unfortunately, the bid was over 10% higher than our budget for the project. If you remember, we had previously raised more funds thinking the project was going to cost more than original estimates, but it still was not enough. My thinking is that the one bidder, not very interested in the project, inflated his bid to cover his lack of interest. Boulder has the option to put the project out for rebid, but would be required to cut from the project, the dollar amount of the overage. In other words, we probably would only be able to afford a stripped down project- scaled down restroom and parking lot. Another option appears to be for the town to walk away from the UDOT money and rethink how we are to proceed. For instance, we could do a minimal restroom or none at all and consider eliminating the parking lot and simplifying the landscaping. This would require that we raise the money from alternate sources. The Town Council is going to hold an executive session to discuss our options and make a final decision at the June Council meeting. At this point, they are leaning towards walking from the UDOT money and proceeding on our own. There has been concern among some residents during this process, that partnering with UDOT will bring too many people into town as well as related parking and maintenance issues. If we opt to rebid the project and scale it down, Boulder may only get a UDOT restop out of the deal instead of the park that we envisioned. There has also been concern as the budget has increased to seemingly unrealistic levels. If we have to scale it back for rebid, these concerns may turn to outrage as the value of our budget decreases.
If we do end up walking from the UDOT money, it will provide an opportunity to rethink what we want for a park. Maybe this past year and a half will prove to be an important exercise that will end up being to our benefit. Contact myself or the Council with your thoughts.
On a related note. at their May meeting, the Council hired a planner, Gaia Designs from Moab, to do the design work for the balance of the park as well as for the town grounds. This was made possible by a $39,000 grant from Federal Scenic Byways. The timing has proved to be good, as we may be rethinking the restop idea and can direct Gaia to incorporate this into their planning. Tim Clarke will be working as an employee of Gaia which is a huge benefit to Boulder- He has been involved in the project from the beginning and has a personal interest in what is best for the town.
This planning project will allow for much public input during the process. We will be soliciting everyone for their ideas/vision to provide Gaia direction in the design. Remember, this plan will also address the future use of the town hall area and building so start thinking of ideas.
I will be planning a Park Committee meeting once I get direction from the council on the UDOT issue. Thanks for your support! Scott Brodie, Chair, Park Committee.
Town Park Committee Meeting Minutes, 11/03/05
The following linked documents were provided by ecoArch Project Landscape
Architect, Bryce Lloyd. Tom Christensen from Jones
& DeMille is the Project Engineer and Tim Clarke is
planting designer.
Boulder Community Development Forum
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