Construction of new skatepark in Mt. Vernon gets green light

Spirit of ’76 Park to get much needed, all-new restrooms after Mt. Vernon Board of Aldermen approval
 
The Mt. Vernon Board of Aldermen voted to move forward with the construction of a new skatepark during their meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
During his report to the board, City Administrator Max Springer said that Pillar Design Studios had provided a “turnkey” price of $131,681.81 to build the skatepark, which will be located at Gibbs Park. Pillar Design Studios provided an artist’s-concept of the park which was presented to the board on Nov. 12, 2019.
Springer said the new skatepark was designed “for beginners and experienced skaters and with the idea that additional elements could be added in the future.” He also told the board that the price for the skatepark does not include the landscaping, structures or benches shown in the drawing, and that the city could reduce the cost by $8,000 to $10,000 by providing “in-kind work,” such as dirt work. Regarding the in-kind work, Springer said he had a quote from K & B Equipment, LLC, who did the dirt work during the storm water project last year, and that he had also requested a bid from Hillhouse. He also said there were other excavators in the area who could also provide bids.
After the board voted to accept Pillar Design Studio’s price to build the park, Mayor Jason Haymes said, “That ought to be a clap,” and the board and the audience in attendance at the meeting broke into applause.
Other Business:
The board also voted to hire Anderson Engineering to completely replace the restrooms at Spirit of ’76 Park. Springer told the board during the meeting that Anderson Engineering had provided him with an estimated cost ranging between $165,000 and $185,000 to complete the project, while an architect from Esterly Schneider & Associates, Inc. who submitted the original concept for the restrooms estimated a cost between $200,000 and $210,000. The board also passed an ordinance authorizing a private-hangar/tie-down lease agreement between the city and James Harper and Don Jester. The board also approved allowing Jester to separate the two spaces in hangar #2 at the airport into a regular T-style hangar. Jester will make the improvements at his own expense, but the cost, estimated to be about $3,000, will be applied to his payments to lease the hangar over two years.
The board also discussed the possibility of utilizing the sign on the old STOS property on Mt. Vernon Boulevard. The proposed message on the east side of the sign would read “Welcome to Mount Vernon. Home of Apple Butter Makin’ Days,” while the west side would read, “Thank You for Visiting Mount Vernon. Please come again!”