Construction should begin soon on Hoquiam’s Adams Street waterfront park and, if all goes according to plan, the scenic spot could be open for business around the time the Memorial Day holiday weekend rolls around.
The Hoquiam City Council approved a bid from Rognlin’s Construction at its Monday meeting. City Administrator Brian Shay said that if the contract is executed in the next couple of weeks, it calls for work completion within 60 working days.
“I would be shocked if they weren’t done by the end of May,” he said.
Rognlin’s work on the park will include a paved lot, landscaping, sidewalk work and other improvements, with access to the waterfront. The spot, at 5th Street and Adams Street, is currently just a gravel turnout with a great view of the harbor.
The bid came in at just over $282,700, and will include work to “complete the minimum improvements to complete the park” and “additional desired site improvements including more sidewalk and driveway replacement, and replacement of an aging/failing 42-inch storm drainage line that runs through the property.”
Funding for the park comes from a $156,500 grant from the state Recreation and Conservation Office, $30,000 from the Grays Harbor Community Foundation, and city and private sources. Councilman Paul McMillan said the Lion’s Club is building the covered picnic area, the club’s contribution to the park.
The project allows for the replacement of the drainage line.
“Since we’re putting in a paved loop road we can replace that line first so it will be in good condition moving forward and there won’t be risk of it rupturing and causing damage to the park,” said Shay.
The Rognlin’s contract, the lowest of six bids, was still a little above the city’s estimate of $280,000 for the work, but the city “still has adequate funds built into the budget” for the difference, said Shay, and up to $15,000 in change orders should any previously unidentified issues arise during construction.
Future plans for the park are dependent on finding additional funding sources and include a restroom and a viewing tower. Shay said in this initial construction, “The restroom utilities will be stubbed in for a future bathroom if we raise additional funding.”
Mayor Ben Winkelman said private contributions to the park are welcome. Contact Shay at bshay@cityofhoquiam.com or 360-538-3983.
Zoning
With the park going into an area currently zoned for industrial use, the City Council at its Feb. 8 meeting discussed looking at rezoning the area for other uses. Monday, the council passed a resolution authorizing the city’s planning commission to look at doing just that.
Councilman Greg Grun voiced his opposition to the consideration.
“That area, there’s a lot of industrial noise and heavy trucks, I don’t believe it would be the best place for homes. Plus the property owners that own that property are not going to be in favor of doing something like this,” said Grun. “So I’m opposed to it. It’s just not a good fit for people.”
“I can’t imagine anyone building a house right there for sure, but this may have the potential for different kinds of commercial uses out there, so I would really like to see what the planning commission has to say,” said Councilman Steven Puvogel.
Winkelman said he recalled the discussion earlier this month being about the potential for residential development in the area of the park, but the commission could also explore the possibility of different types of mixed use or commercial zoning.
The council passed the resolution, with Grun voting no. The planning commission will now “review and consider modifying the zoning district designation of the property located on or near 5th Street Extension,” as it was written in the resolution.
