NEW ALBANY — A choice between two contractors is set to be made today, as the New Albany Redevelopment Commission will hold a special meeting to determine which company will construct the city’s bicentennial park.

Last week, the New Albany City Council amended a $450,000 funding proposal for the park and other bicentennial activities. Instead of approving the entire amount, the council agreed to make available $312,000 for the park. The total was approved on first reading, and will require two additional votes by the council.

According to Mayor Jeff Gahan’s administration, multiple council members requested additional information on the planned bicentennial events, thus funding those efforts was put on hold and the amount of the financial request was changed.

As for the park, the commission received two bids earlier this month, the lowest of which was $537,000 as submitted by MAC Construction and Excavating. The second bid for the park — which will be built at the corner of Spring and Pearl streets downtown — was for $548,076 and was received from EZ Construction.

Those bids were taken under advisement for staff review, and while the Gahan administration wouldn’t confirm which company will be suggested to receive the contract, the money appropriated for the project indicates it will be MAC.

Along with the $312,000 approved by the council, the city also garnered a $225,000 grant from the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County for the park. Those amounts add up to $537,000, which was the sum of the MAC bid.

“We’re going to make a recommendation and get the redevelopment commission to make a tentative approval based on the funding that the council is considering,” said Carl Malysz, director of community housing initiatives for the city and one of the administration advisers for the redevelopment commission.

“I expect that there will be a contract signed within a week or two and that we’ll commence with construction,” he continued.

While a firm date hasn’t been determined, Malysz said the city is hopeful for a spring opening of the park, as New Albany will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2013.

“The curb appeal of this park when it’s done will be something I think everybody in New Albany will be extremely proud of,” Councilman Bob Caesar told the News and Tribune earlier this month.

Caesar is a member of the New Albany Bicentennial Commission and has refrained from voting on funding measures related to next year’s celebration as a result of his position.

Councilman Kevin Zurschmiede was the lone council member to vote against the $312,000 funding request last week, which passed 6-1. Council President Diane McCartin-Benedetti was not in attendance.

A message left for Zurschmiede on Monday seeking comment for this story hadn’t been returned as of press time.

Several galas, formal balls and activities — including a style show, scavenger hunt and fireworks display — are planned for the bicentennial celebration. Gahan said his administration supports the park and planned events for the bicentennial, as he added a lot of hard work has gone into the process.

“I think we have a really good bicentennial commission, and I think they’re coming up with a lot of good ideas to help make the celebration memorable,” Gahan said Monday.