Fairhope, Alabama
BIDS COME BACK HIGH
Of the 14 companies that attended a pre-bid meeting, only one submitted a $5.1 million bid for the construction of the much-delayed Manley road soccer complex; the mayor and city council have set a $2 million limit for initial construction.
Recreation Board member and Fairhope Soccer League representative Bob Keyser said he thought problems with the contract was the reason for the high cost: the contractors' were required to assume all "risks" associated with construction (environmental, time-constraints, etc.).
Keyser: "(Its) ... a very one-sided contract the way it was written ... ."
Keyser said the city may want to consider rewriting the contract to reduce costs by having the city assume more of the risks associated with construction.. He added he thought changing the main entrance from Manley Rd. (as originally designed) to CR 13 did not significantly contribute to the higher-than-expected cost.
City council liaison Diana Brewer told the members she thought there would be "considerable push-back" from some coucilmembers to spending more than the $2 million allocated.
It was hoped the project could begin this November, but that now appears unlikely.
Updated: Later, others familiar with the project told the Times the high cost is indeed partly-related to the re-orienting of the fields and major grading issues due to the considerable slope of the land.
OTHER MATTERS
* The Board voted to update its Five Year Plan. This was described as a "wish list" -- hopefully to be funded by the city over the next 5 years to prepare for expected population growth; a component of the city's Comprehensive Plan update now underway (ACE).
(in priority order)
1. Completion of the Manley Soccer Complex (incrementally, cost $3 - 4 million) (starting in fall 2014?)
2. An Engineering Study of Volanta Park to add one additional baseball field, additional parking and improved stormwater management. (2015) (Cost $40 - 70K).
3. Expansion of Stimpson Field Tennis Facilities. (2015) (6 new courts, cost $300K)
4. Rebuild concession stands at the stadium: Majors Field. (Cost $105K) The Fairhope Rotary Club has offered to donate $40K for this item. The city could provide "in kind" construction services. (start winter of 2014).
5. Expand Volanta Park. According to the engineering study, item #2 above. (no cost estimate) (2016).
6. Construct a splash pad at the municipal pool. ($100K) (2017).
7. Improvements/Expansion of Disc Golf Course. Based on the engineering study, Item #2 above. Relocating or adding a new links course at the Colony Nature Park on Twin Beech Rd. was mentioned.
8. Expand Recreation Center to add class space, training rooms, and racquetball court. (Cost $500K) (starting in 2017?).
* Heard that the Ultimate Frisbee Tournament is definitely coming to town this October, despite the city deciding not to waive field-rental fees.
* Heard that the restrooms at Fouders Park had been vandalized again.
* In response to a question from the Times, said they had not heard anything about the new catholic high school (off Hwy 104, east of Hwy 181) being allowed to use the city's recreation facilities, as has been reported in other media. The school will have 300 - 400 students and is slated to open in 2016.
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| Soccer Complex Plan |
Of the 14 companies that attended a pre-bid meeting, only one submitted a $5.1 million bid for the construction of the much-delayed Manley road soccer complex; the mayor and city council have set a $2 million limit for initial construction.
Recreation Board member and Fairhope Soccer League representative Bob Keyser said he thought problems with the contract was the reason for the high cost: the contractors' were required to assume all "risks" associated with construction (environmental, time-constraints, etc.).
Keyser: "(Its) ... a very one-sided contract the way it was written ... ."
 |
| CR 13 at Manley Rd. site |
City council liaison Diana Brewer told the members she thought there would be "considerable push-back" from some coucilmembers to spending more than the $2 million allocated.
It was hoped the project could begin this November, but that now appears unlikely.
Updated: Later, others familiar with the project told the Times the high cost is indeed partly-related to the re-orienting of the fields and major grading issues due to the considerable slope of the land.
OTHER MATTERS
 |
| Keyser |
(in priority order)
1. Completion of the Manley Soccer Complex (incrementally, cost $3 - 4 million) (starting in fall 2014?)
2. An Engineering Study of Volanta Park to add one additional baseball field, additional parking and improved stormwater management. (2015) (Cost $40 - 70K).
3. Expansion of Stimpson Field Tennis Facilities. (2015) (6 new courts, cost $300K)
4. Rebuild concession stands at the stadium: Majors Field. (Cost $105K) The Fairhope Rotary Club has offered to donate $40K for this item. The city could provide "in kind" construction services. (start winter of 2014).
5. Expand Volanta Park. According to the engineering study, item #2 above. (no cost estimate) (2016).
6. Construct a splash pad at the municipal pool. ($100K) (2017).
7. Improvements/Expansion of Disc Golf Course. Based on the engineering study, Item #2 above. Relocating or adding a new links course at the Colony Nature Park on Twin Beech Rd. was mentioned.
8. Expand Recreation Center to add class space, training rooms, and racquetball court. (Cost $500K) (starting in 2017?).
* Heard that the Ultimate Frisbee Tournament is definitely coming to town this October, despite the city deciding not to waive field-rental fees.
* Heard that the restrooms at Fouders Park had been vandalized again.
* In response to a question from the Times, said they had not heard anything about the new catholic high school (off Hwy 104, east of Hwy 181) being allowed to use the city's recreation facilities, as has been reported in other media. The school will have 300 - 400 students and is slated to open in 2016.
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