Barracks Veterans Park improvements revisited

PLATTSBURGH | The City of Plattsburgh Common Council reviewed changes made to planned improvements at the Plattsburgh Barracks Veterans Park. Several design elements were cut to bring an initial $450,000 project quote into the range of available funding. PFC Robert A. LaFountain Chapter #179 Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organizes events on the city property. DAV won a $125,000 grant five years ago for park improvements. City Department of Public Works personnel maintain the park. Community Development Director Andrew Durrin told councilors they met with Greg Lee, DAV chapter adjutant, to set priorities for the renovations. "With the Veterans Park, the original design was proposing a huge change in landscaping," Durrin said. "There was a lot of concrete work that didn't necessarily need to be done. What they (veterans) were looking for is replacing the existing pavers with concrete because the pavers start to heave, and there are issues with tripping. There are also some lighting issues out there. So we've taken out a lot of the stuff that wasn't necessary, left in the lighting and the concrete work." Minus design costs, Durrin said, the project looks to encompass $112,000. Additional funds have been allocated to the design work. "We tightened up the plans, so we're hoping the cost of construction comes down significantly." Recessed well lighting around the park's central star feature remains in the plan. Extensive landscaping around the park has been removed, although DAV will plant circular gardens in the star center. City Mayor Wendell Hughes said they sat down with the veterans to discuss priorities for design revision. "We had quite a few veterans sit down, and I think what they wanted was misinterpreted. What they want is a safe (walkway), stamped concrete. That was their biggest concern. We simplified the idea to try to get it back within the budget. "We had a great meeting with them. We went over every piece of the park," Hughes said. The new set of plans has been sent to engineers at Barton & Loguidice, Durrin said, seeking revised estimates. The project has been in the works for most of five years, Hughes said. The city had one bid on the project, which closed on Sept. 11 last year. "So when we bid this again, I will be reaching out to a lot of the contractors that I know to see if we can get a competitive bid this time," Durrin said. Plattsburgh Barracks Veterans Park is located at the southern end of the U.S. Oval and used for many veteran memorial activities and gatherings, including flight send-off ceremonies for North Country Honor Flight. "It would be really cool to get it done," Hughes said. Councilor Julie Baughn noted that the process for project approval through the Dormitory Authority of New York (DASNY) is cumbersome. Durrin agreed. "But, it's what you've got to do to get the money." DASNY is going through the city planning documents now for the planned Bocce ball court in South Acres Park, which was also allocated $125,000 in grant funds through former Assemblymember Jones' office. "It's going to be worthwhile," Baughn said. Durrin said the city will paint Bocce ball court lines in South Acres Park in an area beside where the final courts will go, so people can still play this summer while new courts are put in place.

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Barracks Veterans Park improvements revisited

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