Vissing Park construction over budget by $2M

Clark County

Discussion

February 7, 2012

New parks director says he’s never seen a working budget for the construction

By DAVID A. MANN David.Mann@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Tue Feb 07, 2012, 06:59 PM EST

JEFFERSONVILLE — Plans to improve Jeffersonville’s Vissing Park are coming in more than $2 million more than initial estimates.

Two softball fields, basketball courts, restrooms, shelters, a concession area, walking trails, a fenced dog park and an open lawn are being built at the park, which is off 10th Street in the northeast portion of the city. Ground was broken the project in August and officials initially estimated the project would cost $1.2 to $2 million — depending on how much of the work was done by city workers.

Construction Solutions, the firm managing the project, has since informed the city that estimates are looking closer to $4 million. The firm is in the midst of developing a budget for the project. More information should be available during the Jeffersonville’s Parks Authority meeting planned at 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 13.

“I don’t even know if there was ever a working budget” that included the $2 million figure, Parks and Recreation Director Paul Northam said. “I think it’s basically a guesstimate.”

Northam, who’s only been in the director’s role since Jan. 1, said he’d seen references to the $2 million figure in meeting minutes but no supporting documents for it.

Mayor Mike Moore said hiring Construction Solutions for the project was a part of the problem. Former Mayor Tom Galligan hired the firm on a $134,600 contract eight days before leaving office.

Construction Solutions did not return phone call request for comments on this story.

The Vissing Park project has been steeped in controversy since it got under way. Lawsuits were threatened, neighbors protested and regulators took action when the city cleared 15 acres of the dense forest in order to make room for the project in October 2010.

PARKS MONEY UNDER COUNCIL CONTROL

The Jeffersonville City Council put $1.3 million in park funding under its purview with an ordinance early this week. The funding action was taken in response to a letter, authored by Corporation Counsel Tom Lowe and addressed to council attorney Scott Lewis, that called for reformation of the governing board for the parks system.

City parks have until recently been governed by the Jeffersonville Parks Authority, a board populated by members of the council. According to Lowe, however, the existence of the authority is out of compliance with Indiana law in that the statute under which it was created — back in 2008 — applies to municipalities with populations of less than 35,000.

The city has grown since 2008, with annexations, and its population is now about 45,000.

In lieu of the authority, Moore has called for the parks board that should consist of himself and four members, which would be appointed by him.

Lewis said Monday’s move to move the $1.3 million in funding was necessary if the authority is legally invalid.

“This isn’t final action,” he said. “We want to make sure there is some board out there that can appropriate that money [if it needs to be spent].”

The final form of the parks board hasn’t officially been determined.