The Department of Park, Recreation and Public Property has been working in partnership with the North Broadway Neighborhood Association, a group of Gunn School graduates and the 712 Initiative to improve Kimball Park.    

The park’s playground is small and oriented to young children, with the loss of the larger playground at Gunn School, an improved playground became a priority.  Other priorities included the improvements to the basketball court, adding a pickle ball court, correcting a drainage problem and retaining the park’s open spaces.  A park shelter became important and the Gunn School graduate group agreed to raise money for this element.  The Gunn group had been seeking to recognize Gerald Dixon, the school janitor who died following the school’s 1967 explosion and fire.  They felt this park shelter was an appropriate way to commemorate Mr. Dixon.

If approved, the project will remove the existing basketball/tennis court.  A new play court surface will be constructed accommodating basketball and the City’s first Pickle Ball court.  Additionally, the project adds a new Space Net play feature. This element will expand the park’s service by attracting older children.  New storm drains and lines addresses the current storm water issues.  Fencing, benches, tables and landscaping are all included.

The recommended bidder, Dostals Construction Co., has submitted the lowest bid and has extensive experience in park projects.  HGM, Inc., the project Engineers, has reviewed the bids and the qualifications of Dostals Construction Co.  HGM recommends the Council award Dostals Construction Co. the contract.

The bids received, and the associated Engineers estimate, follow:

Company                                                        Base Bid                                     Alternate #1 (Shelter)                           ­       Total

Dostals Construction Co. Inc.                     $180,000.00                                       $ 52,000.00                                         $232,000.000

Corrado Construction                                  Non – Compliant Bid

Engineers Estimate w/Contingency           $163,396.00                                        $ 33,000.00                                         $196,396.00

Acceptance of the Low Base Bid of $180,000.00, added to the Engineering/Planning/Design Cost, estimated costs for construction testing and administration and a 2% construction contingency, brings the total project cost to $214,200.00.  The programed project budget provides $200,000.00.  Recently, the City completed the 2018 Ash Borer treatment.  This project, PR-17-04, had an approved budget of $40,000.  However, excellent bids were received and as a result, a surplus of approximately $20,000.00 exists.  Passage of this Resolution authorizes those surplus funds to be directed to and expended for the Kimball Park Rehab project.

City funding for the Kimball Park Rehab is provide by the following sources:

• Nbrh Park Rehab –   2015 CIP - $   30,000
• Nbrh Park Rehab –    PR-17-95 - $100,000
• Nbrh Park Rehab –    PR-19-05 - $  70,000
• Ash Bore Treatment– PR-17-04 - $  15,000

                          TOTAL                   $215,000

Passage of this Resolution authorizes the Base Bid only.  Discussion have been initiated with the Neighborhood and the Dixon Fund Raising Committee to evaluate the alternate bid for the Shelter and perhaps pursue more affordable shelter design options.  Funding for the Shelter remains solely a private effort.