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~.-Fern c~ <br />(Excerpt from the Town of Chapel Hill Status Report for Parks and Recreation <br />Capital Projects) <br />15. SOUTHERN COMMUNITY PARK <br />Current Status: Bidding and permitting <br />Design Firm: OBS Landscape Architects <br />The Southern Community Park is proposed to be a 70 acre park located south of Southern <br />Village and west of 15-501. The concept plan indicates that the site will be over 50% <br />natural. Most of the developed portions of the site are anticipated to be located adjacent <br />to highway 15-501. <br />The following has occurred or is ongoing: <br />• The Town Council approved a phasing plan for the park that includes the <br />following first phase: <br />o Parking lot with 40 spaces on Dogwood Acres Drive <br />o Parking lot with 110 spaces in northeast corner of park site <br />o A11 sewer and water extensions, restrooms, sidewalks, traffic calming, <br />landscape buffers along US 15-501, dry detention basins, constructed <br />wetland basins <br />o Extension of Fan Branch Greenway Trail to the dog park <br />o Public art <br />o Athletic/soccer fields with lights (3) <br />o Basketball courts (2) <br />o Slab for in-line hockey <br />o Children's play area (1) <br />o Picnic Shelters (1 large, 1 small) <br />o Dog park <br />o Meadow/grass play area <br />o Disk golf course <br />• The Town Council approved a Special Use Permit for the park on May 9, 2005 <br />• We received notification that the Town will receive a $500,000 Parks and <br />Recreation Trust Fund grant for this project. <br />• Bids were open on August 31, 2006 and were higher than anticipated. The <br />Council rejected bids due to budget issues. <br />• The NCDOT has agreed to install a traffic light at Dogwood Acres Drive and US <br />15-501. We do not have a schedule, but based on previous experience we might <br />expect the project to be completed by July 2007. <br />• We opened bids on March 29, 2007. We have recommended that the Council <br />reject the bids because of a procedural error. If the Council agrees we would <br />expect to open bids again in late April. <br />Construction may occur in 2007. Plans for the project can be reviewed in my office. <br />Please make an appointment (919) 968-2787 ext. 214) or email at <br />bwebster@townofchapelhill.org and I will be happy to show you the plans. <br />