July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
City just missed on federal funding (05/09/07)
Portland Park Board
By By RACHELLE HAUGHN-
The city almost had federal funds for Hudson Family Park.
Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, announced Tuesday night that federal funds were earmarked in 2006 for the park project, but are no longer available.
Hosier told members of the Portland Park Board that the city would have received the funds in 2007. However, policies regarding how earmarked funds are applied for changed, and there is a new majority in the U.S. Senate.
He said the new majority in the U.S. Senate canceled distribution of all funds earmarked for 2007.
Hosier said federal officials told him to wait to announce that the funds had been earmarked. He did not know how much money the city was slated to receive.
Hosier remains optimistic. "It's disappointed but I'm not discouraged," he said.
The mayor said he was in Washington D.C. last week lobbying for funds for the park project. He hopes that the money will be available in 2008. "We're back in the game again," he said.
In a related matter, Hosier also said that he expects to announce another source of funding for the project, sometime in the next two weeks. He declined to name the source or how large the sum would be. Another park board meeting might be held before June for the announcement, he said.
In other business, board members discussed a possible solution for the cracking and crumbling Portland Pool.
Jeff Harker, street and park department superintendent, showed board members photos of how the pool looks before it is painted each spring.
After seeing the photos, Neil Medler, board president, suggested Harker look into getting a vinyl liner.
Harker said he would.
The pool has several problems on the south and north sides, just under the lip.
A liner could prevent future deterioration, Harker said.
After the meeting, Harker estimated that a liner would cost about $80,000, compared to about $2 million for a new pool. The pool was build in the mid-1950s. Harker said he did not know how long a liner would last.
Also Tuesday, board members:
•Heard Nola Albrecht, landscape architect for The Schneider Corporation, report that quotes to landscape the entrance of Hudson Family Park are expected to be in about a week.
She expects to get quotes from Cook's Nursery and Trim, Portland, Yardberry Landscaping Excavating, Anderson, and Country Side Farms and Landscape LLC, Parker City. The landscaping would include flowers, shrubs and trees. The quotes will go before the Portland Board of Works.
After the meeting, Albrecht said she expects the work to being in four to six weeks, and take about two weeks to complete.
•Learned that bid letting for the trail system throughout Hudson Family Park is expected to begin in early 2008.
Albrecht said bid letting can't begin until the Indiana Department of Transportation finishes reviewing the plans. The project is being funded by an INDOT Transportation Enhancement Grant.
She said she expects the creation of the trails to begin in the spring of 2008. Albrecht assured the board that the park project is still on track to be completed by 2010, which is the deadline that local investment banker Barry Hudson gave when he donated the land to the city.
Board secretary Sharon Bubp asked her if the park will have a sledding hill.
Albrecht said she didn't think there would be enough room in the park for a sledding hill, but a small mound might fit.
•Learned that planning for the Hudson Family Park's amphitheater has begun.
Albrecht said she, Hosier and Eric Rogers, executive director of Arts Place, met last week with Jones and Phillips Associates Inc. officials and discussed how much room would be needed for the amphitheater. The Lafayette engineering firm is designing the structure.[[In-content Ad]]
Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, announced Tuesday night that federal funds were earmarked in 2006 for the park project, but are no longer available.
Hosier told members of the Portland Park Board that the city would have received the funds in 2007. However, policies regarding how earmarked funds are applied for changed, and there is a new majority in the U.S. Senate.
He said the new majority in the U.S. Senate canceled distribution of all funds earmarked for 2007.
Hosier said federal officials told him to wait to announce that the funds had been earmarked. He did not know how much money the city was slated to receive.
Hosier remains optimistic. "It's disappointed but I'm not discouraged," he said.
The mayor said he was in Washington D.C. last week lobbying for funds for the park project. He hopes that the money will be available in 2008. "We're back in the game again," he said.
In a related matter, Hosier also said that he expects to announce another source of funding for the project, sometime in the next two weeks. He declined to name the source or how large the sum would be. Another park board meeting might be held before June for the announcement, he said.
In other business, board members discussed a possible solution for the cracking and crumbling Portland Pool.
Jeff Harker, street and park department superintendent, showed board members photos of how the pool looks before it is painted each spring.
After seeing the photos, Neil Medler, board president, suggested Harker look into getting a vinyl liner.
Harker said he would.
The pool has several problems on the south and north sides, just under the lip.
A liner could prevent future deterioration, Harker said.
After the meeting, Harker estimated that a liner would cost about $80,000, compared to about $2 million for a new pool. The pool was build in the mid-1950s. Harker said he did not know how long a liner would last.
Also Tuesday, board members:
•Heard Nola Albrecht, landscape architect for The Schneider Corporation, report that quotes to landscape the entrance of Hudson Family Park are expected to be in about a week.
She expects to get quotes from Cook's Nursery and Trim, Portland, Yardberry Landscaping Excavating, Anderson, and Country Side Farms and Landscape LLC, Parker City. The landscaping would include flowers, shrubs and trees. The quotes will go before the Portland Board of Works.
After the meeting, Albrecht said she expects the work to being in four to six weeks, and take about two weeks to complete.
•Learned that bid letting for the trail system throughout Hudson Family Park is expected to begin in early 2008.
Albrecht said bid letting can't begin until the Indiana Department of Transportation finishes reviewing the plans. The project is being funded by an INDOT Transportation Enhancement Grant.
She said she expects the creation of the trails to begin in the spring of 2008. Albrecht assured the board that the park project is still on track to be completed by 2010, which is the deadline that local investment banker Barry Hudson gave when he donated the land to the city.
Board secretary Sharon Bubp asked her if the park will have a sledding hill.
Albrecht said she didn't think there would be enough room in the park for a sledding hill, but a small mound might fit.
•Learned that planning for the Hudson Family Park's amphitheater has begun.
Albrecht said she, Hosier and Eric Rogers, executive director of Arts Place, met last week with Jones and Phillips Associates Inc. officials and discussed how much room would be needed for the amphitheater. The Lafayette engineering firm is designing the structure.[[In-content Ad]]
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