While rain has added some delays to construction on parks in Chandler, both projects are still full steam ahead.
Imel Park, which is located behind Chandler City Hall, now has a pavilion, with the new sidewalk along Route 66 installed during the first two weeks of June. Scapes, Inc., which won the contract, is still working on landscaping and building the new “Welcome to Chandler” sign.
If the weather permits, the park should be completed in the next three weeks, said City Manager Jason Orr. All the work that remains is planting the new trees, installing lighting and the sprinkler systems, stonework on the pavilion and the final grading and sod.
The Chandler City Council approved a $427,86098 contract with Scapes, Inc. for the park named after former mayor Gene Imel at their regular meeting on March 11. The plans include a small pavilion at the top of the hill for City employees, which is complete, and a larger pavilion down below with electric outlets available to the public, along with a sidewalk that will run from the parking lot to the pavilion. The company will also plant 52 different trees around the area in fall colors and build up a berm along Route 66 to make sure children don’t run into the street.
In a separate project, a mural will be painted on the retaining wall around the curve, using $10,000 donated by Chandler alum and Texas Rangers pitcher Jon Gray. Orr said the design has been decided, and the City is scheduling a meeting with the artist to develop a schedule. The mural will depict the history of Chandler, from its founding to the present day.
Reed Park on Allison was supposed to have broken ground by now, Orr said at the meeting. However, despite the delay, all the equipment has been purchased, so he expects that it won’t take long to complete once they begin excavation.
“All of our projects are a little bit behind because of the rain. So they haven’t been able to actually do the excavation work, but they have purchased the basketball goals, all the equipment, all this stuff, and all the other preliminary things like their insurance or stuff like that,” Orr said.
Currently, there is no anticipated completion date. All Firebrand is waiting for is for the ground to dry up enough to begin.
The Council approved a $507,000.000 contract with Firebrand Construction for Phase 1 of Reed Park also on March 11. Orr said they plan to build a pavilion, basketball court, and new parking lot in the area. In later phases, the City could potentially build a walking path that goes over to the old cotton gin and do something with the property across the street, which it also owns.
Regarding McClanahan Park, located next to the Route 66 Interpretive Center, Orr said the City hopes to go out for bid in July, award a construction contract at the August Council meeting, and break ground in the fall.