JEFFERSONVILLE — The Jeffersonville Parks Authority awarded a $4.1 million bid to AML Inc. Monday night for work on Vissing Park.

The Floyds Knobs-based firm will complete everything planned at the park, save for a proposed dog run there. Improvements would include two new softball fields, batting cages, playground equipment, basketball courts, shelter houses, lighting, walking trails and other amenities. Jeffersonville Parks and Recreation Department Director Paul Northam is hopeful the firm would begin work by June 1.

When the Vissing Park project initially got under way back in August 2011, city crews were going to do the work. After manpower became a question earlier this year, the authority — which is made up of members of the Jeffersonville City Council — opted to seek bids for the work. Early on, there’d been discussion of breaking the project into two phases — one this year and one next — but Monday night authority members opted to move ahead with the entire thing.

“We really want to see this project finished and have everything done right,” said councilman Ed Zastawny.

About $1 million in parks revenue and $1 million in tax increment finance district revenue is to be used to finance the project.

The Jeffersonville Redevelopment Commission has not yet voted to fund the project, however commission president Mike Hutt indicated in a recent interview that he’s open to the idea in order to get the project done in one phase.

“It makes a lot of sense to do it all at one time,” Hutt said last week.

The city will seek a short-term loan — five to 10 years — from a local bank in order to pay the balance. City controller Monica Harmon advised members it would be cheaper to pursue a short-term loan than a bond, noting that interest rates are low. She’ll bring the authority recommendations on loan options at a future meeting. Zastawny said parks funds will be used to pay back the loan.

AML Inc., which also constructed two firehouses for Jeffersonville in 2007, was the low bidder among three other companies on the project. Those bids were opened just a few weeks ago.

The Vissing project got started under the administration of past Mayor Tom Galligan but not without input from protestors. Neighbors and nature-lovers alike took exception when the city cleared 15 acres of dense woods in order to make room in October 2010.

The park is closed now but is expected to re-open in time for next spring’s softball season.