Bridge Park set for upgrades
Improvements to Bridge Park include a paved parking area. Donated photo
After delays due to funding and insufficient bids, Sylva is set to begin work on the Bridge Park Green Infrastructure project after accepting a bid during the Nov. 9 town councilmeeting.
“That’s a huge project that all of us have worked hard for,” said Public Works Director Jake Scott. “So thank y’all. That’s going to be great.”
The board appropriated $98,447 from fund balance set aside for ARPA related projects for the Bridge Park Greek Infrastructure project. The board had previously appropriated $418,000 from federal ARPA funds, and it also received $367,757 in funding from a Jackson County Tourism Development Association Grant to go toward the project.
Total cost of the project is estimated at $749,360, plus funds set aside for contingency. Planned upgrades to the park include a paved parking lot with two ADA parking spaces, a concrete walkway, an ADA-compliant fishing pier, benches, picnic tables and bioretention areas that will help clean the water and runoff that drain into Scotts Creek.
The project came to fruition because Scotts Creek is an impaired waterway and slowing, treating and cooling stormwater before it enters the creek has been a priority for the board.
“This has come full circle for me,” said Commissioner Greg McPherson. “This is one of the first things I talked about eight years ago with the board, and I think it’s a fitting end to my time.”
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In September, the town released a request for bids for the project. The goal at that time was to sign a contract in November and begin working on the project in December so it could be completed in time for Greening Up the Mountains in April.
However, the town received only two bids on that initial round and had to advertise the request for bids a second time to try to solicit a third bid. After the project was rebid for the seven-day requirement, the town had still received only two bids.
The lowest bid came from BH Graning Landscapes, Inc. but because the town did not receive a HUB certificate from the business it had to go with the other bidder, Buchanan and Sons, Inc.
