By Gerri Miller
Staff Writer
The Prattville City Council approved engineering design services totaling up to $425,160 Tuesday night for improvement projects for Pratt Park, Newton Park and Stanley Jensen Stadium.
The Council amended the fiscal year 2022 budget and authorized Mayor Bill Gillespie to enter into an agreement with Civil Southeast LLC for engineering design services for Pratt Park improvements at a net cost not to exceed $106,000.
The Council also amended the 2022 budget and authorized a project with Engineers of the South LLC for the preliminary engineering, surveying and design phase for the Newton Park Improvements Project at a net cost not to exceed $224,500.
The City will also enter into an agreement with Civil Southeast LLC for preliminary engineering design services for Stanley Jensen stadium at a net cost not to exceed $94,060.
Plans for the stadium include new home stands, rest rooms, locker rooms and concession areas. The money for the stadium overhaul will come from the recently renewed one-cent sales tax first created to pay off the city’s long-term debt.
The stadium was last renovated in 1985. Under the new $10 million plan, the concrete visitor’s side will be demolished, and new home stands will be constructed. The current home stands will become the visitor’s side. There will be a new press box and reserved seating. New entrances will be constructed and a new south end zone.
Proposed upgrades to Newton Park include four new hard surface tennis courts, four new pickleball courts, a new concessions building, maintenance building, asphalt parking and associated hardscape. It also includes renovations to the existing concessions building, tennis courts, and playground area.
The existing playground at Pratt Park will be replaced under the proposal with a new and improved version. There will be a new restroom facility and existing restrooms will be renovated, drainage improvements will be made, and a new greenspace would be added that replaces a current parking area. The splash pad will be resurfaced and the existing walking track will be improved.
“This has been a long time coming,” said Kellie Cook, director of the City’s Parks and Recreation Department. “It will be great having a dedicated funding source-it’s a game changer. We’ve identified these parks as Tier 1 based on the amount of traffic they receive. These are the top three projects that will benefit the most citizens.”
The Council also set a public hearing in December to rezone property located east of the Scenic Hills subdivision west of Cooter’s Pond from FAR (Forest, Agricultural and Recreational) to R-5 (patio garden homes).
The Council left the Chamber and went into executive session before adjourning the meeting. The subject of that meeting was an economic development project, but no information was available about the project. They adjourned immediately after returning to the Chamber.
