Agenda - 12-12-2017-12-3 - Information Item - Memorandum - Blackwood Farm Park Status Report

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2 Completion of these components, estimated to cost around $1.2 million (with previously-appropriated funds), will enable the County to be in position to move sequentially ahead with the planned park amenities that would be in Phase 2-B of the park. This park construction phase, estimated at just under $1.8 million, is slated for FY 2018-19 in the approved FY 2017-2022 Capital Investment Plan (CIP). Those amenities are envisioned to include (as funding permits): • A nature center with exhibits and classroom/learning space • Amphitheatre site for concerts and special events • Disc golf course • Additional picnic shelter(s) with restrooms • Historically-correct restoration of the Blackwood Farmhouse (parts of which date to 1827) • Agricultural exhibits and gardens • Park office and garage Before the above listed park amenities can be constructed, the infrastructure needs must be addressed to ensure that the park can accommodate the increase in visitors and hours. It is anticipated that the infrastructure and planned park improvements would enable Blackwood Farm Park to open daily (assuming planned upgrades in personnel and operating expenses) in FY 2019-20. The following five subsections provide updates on the planned infrastructure improvements and on some components or questions that were raised previously. 1. Hiring of a Design and Engineering Firm for Construction Drawings and Bid Documents While considerable work has been done to date by our Landscape Architect, the design and construction of the new driveway, turn lanes and parking areas will require engineering services. The firm that performs this work could also create the needed construction documents for the components of the park construction in FY 2018-19, assuming that construction plans stay on that schedule. Staff has prepared a new layout for the driveway and parking area, taking into consideration the approved location of the new entrance by NCDOT and the relocation of the Parks Operations Base to another site. A draft layout of the new driveway and parking area is shown below. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) has been developed by staff and is ready to be placed for submittals by qualified firms. Staff plans to have a recommended firm for this work to the Board for approval of a design contract in January/February. Staff will also provide a courtesy update to park neighbors to Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks &Recreation PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-2510 Fax: (919) 644-3351