Herman Park plans sent back to the drafting table
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on September 17, 2017 1:45 AM
The Goldsboro City Council will return to the drawing board to create a smaller, less expensive plan for a new Herman Park Recreation Center.
After receiving building estimates as high as $17 million, along with a potential property tax increase, the council has stepped back from the process.
The council is considering different building options that may reduce the cost to $10 million or less. Questions remain whether or not a property tax increase would be needed.
Timing, as well as the results of a $2 million Golden LEAF Foundation grant, could play a role in the decision.
"I think it's difficult today to move it forward without some tax increase," said Scott Stevens, city manager. "I think in three years, you could do it. It depends on timing."
A smaller scale building, which moves away from the largest sized proposal of 67,170 square feet, may require a property tax increase of 1 to 2 cents today, Stevens said.
"The council's not indicated they're willing to do that," Stevens said.
The city's general fund debt is planned to reduce in future years, including a $1 million drop in two years, and revenue growth in the city could help city leaders to fund the project, Stevens said.
The city's Golden LEAF grant application, which will be decided in October, could also offer a lower city cost, dropping a $10 million project to $8 million. The city applied for the grant that would pay for a Herman Park Center gymnasium to be temporarily converted into a shelter during emergencies, including natural disasters.
The council discussed cost and building options during a recent meeting and will continue to talk about new center possibilities during a Monday work session.
To date, the council has not made an official decision on building a new recreation center. HH Architecture was hired by the city in 2016, at a $39,500 cost, to complete design plans, along with cost estimates.
In July, HH Architecture presented two options -- a $14.9 million, 58,630-square-foot building, with two gymnasiums, and a near $17 million, 67,170-square-foot building, with three gymnasiums.
Herman Park Center, located near the corner of East Ash Street and Herman Street, offers close to 22,000 square feet of space, said Scott Barnard, Goldsboro parks and recreation director.
The center was originally built in 1892 and used as an orphanage. The city purchased and renovated the building into a community center in 1971. The building was never intended to be a recreation center but was adapted and has been used as recreation space for decades, Barnard said.
The Goldsboro City Council meets Monday at 5:30 p.m. in the second floor conference room of the City Hall annex, at 200 N. Center St. The regular council meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, at 214 N. Center St.
During the regular meeting, the council will consider:
* Applying for a N.C. Department of Environmental Quality grants, including more than $1 million for a sewer rehabilitation project for Carolina Street, Cherry Hospital and the Big Ditch outfall, $2.5 million to rehabilitate and replace portions of the city water supply distribution system, and $150,000 to develop an asset management plan for the city sewer system.
* A $42,170 contract with Raftelis Financial
Consultants to fully implement the city's new stormwater utility fee program, including non-residential areas as early as January 2018. The company will create written policies, a five-year program description and cost of service and budget models.
* Approving the 2017 Urgent Repair Program that will provide $100,000 to assist 14 very low and low-income home owners with up to $8,000 for urgent home repairs to prevent displacement. No matching city funds are required.
* A $51,200 contract with Raleigh-based Vistabution for asbestos abatement at the former W.A. Foster Center. The company submitted the lowest bid, with bids of $51,500 from the NEO Corp., in Canton, and $51,900 from Dore and Associates Contracting, in Bay City, Mich.
* A $2,315 sale of 1314 and 1316 N. Carolina St. to Joseph and Darlene Stafford.
* Applying for a $2 million federal Flood Mitigation Assistance grant, through the N.C. Department of Public Safety, to construct an earthen berm around the water treatment plant. The grant requires a 25 percent local match of $504, 875, which may be paid by the state.
* Changes to the city ordinance for permits related to special events and parades. The ordinance adds special events, which include events or gatherings that take place on city property, including a street, sidewalk, right-of-way or public facility under city authority.
Permits will need to be issued by the city manager or his designated representative, instead of the current policy that places the permitting process in the hands of the police chief.
Parade and special event applications must be made in writing at least 30 days, instead of the prior three-day requirement.