By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
It took a mere 11 minutes Thursday for Bowling Green City Council to wrap up 2018 with its last meeting of the year. There were none of the customary comments from city administrators, no reports from council members, and no speeches from citizens.
But along with the regular fund transfers and resolutions, council took one step that is sure to be noticed in the city next year.
Council voted to advertise for bids and enter into a contract to demolish three buildings in City Park next year. Contracts will also be entered for the construction of a new City Park building, including landscaping, paving an entry drive and parking lot.
The city has contracted with Schorr Architects for designing the new City Park building. Schorr specializes in historical-type structures.
The original plan was to tear down the three buildings near the entrance of City Park – the Veterans Building, Girl Scout Building, and Depot – then start construction so the new building replacing the aging structures would be ready for use by summer of 2019.
However, that timeline proved to be too tight and unrealistic.
Instead, the old buildings will be torn down in the next few months. Construction of the new building will follow.
The new goal is to have the City Park building completed by summer of 2020.
That means the parks and recreation department won’t have City Park buildings to schedule events in next summer. But Kristin Otley, parks and recreation director, has reassured the park board that there are ample facilities in the city’s 11 parks to hold programming.
The contract price with Schorr Architects is $317,500 – a bit lower than the expected cost of $320,000.
Earlier this year, city approved the sale of $3.75 million in bonds to pay for tearing down the three old buildings and constructing the one new facility in City Park. The new building will have adequate space for programming, storage, air conditioning, ADA accessibility, ample parking and an attractive design that reflects the historic nature of City Park.
At the close of Thursday’s meeting, City Council member Sandy Rowland commented on the successful year for the city. As a representative of the parks and recreation committee, she said she is particularly pleased to see the new City Park building project progressing.
Rowland also commented on the tough decisions made by council and the city administration to keep the community in good fiscal condition.
“We have not had the financial difficulties that other communities have,” she said.
She mentioned some positives ahead in 2019, including the continued downtown Firefly Nights, and the completion of the roundabouts on East Wooster Streets over Interstate 75.
“I’m proud to be a member of this council,” Rowland said.
