Construction is eminent for the second phase of Carroll Creek Park as city officials received notice that the State of Maryland has cleared the way with key project approvals and additional grant funding.
CONTACT: Susan S. Harding, Public Information Officer, 301-600-1385
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, November 1, 2013
Carroll Creek Park Funding Approved by State
Park Construction to Start in November
Frederick, MD -- Construction is eminent for the second phase of Carroll Creek Park as city officials received notice that the State of Maryland has cleared the way with key project approvals and additional grant funding. According to Mayor Randy McClement, “the state has provided the final approval and additional $2.9 million in grant funds to allow the City to award the $15.8 million project to Waynesboro Construction this month.” McClement added “this has been a long process working through design and state and federal approvals, but we are excited to see such an important project move forward.” The City received written notice this week that Maryland State Highways Administration (SHA) provided “Concurrence In Award” and additional grant funds.
The project was issued for bid by the City this past January with state and federal approvals for the project design and bid documents. The City received four bids for the project ranging from $15.8 million to $21.2 million. The low bid was from Waynesboro Construction including meeting its goal of using 24% Disadvantage Business Enterprises (DBE). The approved project budget was $12.5 million with the City share at $8.5 million. This left a $3.3 million funding gap which is being filled by the additional $2.9 million in Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) grant funds announced this week and a $500,000 Bikeways grant announced last month to assist with the shared use path component of the project. Other financial investors in the project include Frederick County, Developers, and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
According to Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development, “This project is a major catalyst for economic growth in Downtown Frederick and East Frederick.” Griffin stated that “there are a half-dozen new and/or renovated buildings planned for front door access along this section of the Carroll Creek Park representing private sector investment of better than $100 million once complete.” Additionally, several of the sites under consideration for the proposed Downtown Hotel (200 rooms + 20,000 SF of meeting space). Once the new and renovated buildings are complete, it is projected that the annual city and county real property taxes generated on new development in the Carroll Creek Overlay District will cover the local public investment. In addition, the project is anticipated to create approximately 1,400 new jobs. A couple hundred new residential units are expected along with secondary revitalization in surrounding areas.
“The project provides recreational and transportation benefits and contributes to the overall quality of life in Frederick,” stated Roelkey Myers, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation. “We are excited to expand the world-class Carroll Creek Park and work with the Friends of Carroll Creek Park in the future to maintain it at a high level for years of enjoyment.” Myers will serve as the project manager for the project during construction with the assistance of Specialized Engineering which will serve as a Resident Project Representative (RPR) for the city on construction management and administration activities.
The contract with Waynesboro Construction for $15,797,400 is for construction of Carroll Creek Park improvements primarily east of the Delaplaine Center across East Street to East Patrick Street and from S. Court to S. Market Street (south side) –including ADA multi-use paths, lighting, furniture, planters, landscaping, fountains, and other park improvements. Additionally shared use path widening, lighting and landscaping will occur between S. Bentz and Court Streets. The project must comply with state and federal regulations including Americans with Disabilities Act, Davis Bacon Wages, and DBE Participation. The project will be completed and open to the public in the spring of 2016.
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