Title
Authorization for the Construction of Improvements at Kiwanis Girl Scout (Oakview) Park (B)
This item is a request for the City Commission to approve the Guaranteed Maximum Price in the amount of $998,744.00 for Construction of Improvements at Kiwanis Girl Scout (Oakview) Park with J.E. Decker Construction Group, LLC.
Explanation
The Wild Spaces & Public Places (WSPP) program and the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Department held two open houses, focus group meetings, an online survey and a neighborhood workshop to gather public input and to discuss the proposed redevelopment of Kiwanis Girl Scout Park (soon to be renamed Oakview Park). Based on that engagement a Master Plan was created for Oakview Park as part of the conceptual planning process. In 2018 the city hired a local landscape architecture company, Manley Design, and a local civil engineering firm, DRMP, to create construction drawings and acquire all permits for the park improvement project.
Spring Park Subdivision was platted in 1942 and the Kiwanis Club of Gainesville constructed the building that exists on the park property for the Girl Scouts in 1955. The Girl Scouts occupied the building from 1955 through 2014 when they vacated the building. The City’s Recreation Division will be issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to find a third party not-for-profit to use the renovated building for children’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programming. The RFP can be brought before the City Commission for discussion before being issued if desired.
WSPP recommends authorizing this contract to J.E. Decker Construction Group, LLC in the amount of $998,744.00 to renovate the building on site, remove exotic invasive plant species around the creek and install new playground equipment at this neighborhood park. The Oakview Park improvement project is funded through the Wild Spaces & Public Places ½ cent sales tax.
J.E. Decker Construction Group, LLC is one of the City’s approved construction management firms for small projects (under $2M). J.E. Decker Construction Group, LLC is a small, locally owned business who has experience facilitating similar projects.
Fiscal Note
Funds in the amount of $998,744.00 are available for construction of improvements at Oakview Park; $822,997.55 from the Oakview Park WSPP ½ cent sales tax account and $175,746.45 from the Small Project/Contingency WSPP ½ cent sales tax account.
The annual operating and maintenance costs will be approximately $4,900. This increment addresses the cost of utilities and supplies to support the public restroom and water fountain at Oakview Park.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) approve the project task; and 2) authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contract documents and other necessary documents, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.