Published: March 20, 2009 12:00 am      

Riverfront contracts awarded

Construction to begin in late spring

ASHLAND — Construction of Ashland Veterans Riverfront Park will start within the next three months.

City officials have awarded Smith Contractors Inc. of Lawrenceburg a $6.2 million contract to build most of the first phase of the park. City commissioners also approved a $2.1 million contract with the L.B. Foster Co. to purchase steel sheet piling to be used for the reclamation portion of the project.

The city did not award a contract to build the proposed restrooms but they are still expected to be built during the initial phase, according to City Manager Steve Corbitt. He said the city is continuing to work with the contractor and KZF Design engineers to modify plans to garner additional cost savings.

The latest round of bids on the bathrooms estimated construction cost at more than $2 million, he said. The city has just $1 million left for their construction.

He said the city has already identified several cost saving items including the replacement of $400,000 in granite pavers with stamped concrete. Further cost saving measures such as postponing purchase of a large canvas canopy for the parks entryway, will also be used to save cash.

Phase one will take place on the eastern most portion of the park property between the river and the railroad tracks. It includes reclamation of dozens of feet of property now underwater along with construction of the largest of four river walls that will double as a boat dock and stage. Extensive contouring and construction of an earthen mound, which will contain restroom facilities are also included.

Corbitt said although construction will not begin until late May or early June the riverfront property itself may be closed off in late April. He said it’s the city’s intention to keep the boat ramp open as long as possible but the contractors will need to store the steel and equipment at the site weeks before actual work begins.

The city’s order of more than 100 tons of specialized steel is expected to be rolled on April 15 for delivery in May, according to Corbitt.

He said the city decided to purchase the steel itself instead of having the contractor do it as part of the efforts to lower construction costs.

According to city Finance Director Tony Grubb, the city will save $145,000 in sales taxes by purchasing the specialized steel itself.

Corbitt said he expects to see steel being driven into the riverbed by June 1. Construction time is estimated at nearly 18 months, but river levels and weather will be major factors, Corbitt said.

Ashland’s signature Independence Day festival Summer Motion will temporarily be relocated to Ashland’s Central Park during construction.

CARRIE STAMBAUGH can be reached at cstambaugh@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.