City prepares final construction phase for Main Street Commons; council to consider restrooms, concessions and shade structures

City officials told residents on Sept. 12 that the long‑planned Main Street Commons downtown park will return to council on Sept. 23 with two agenda items to finish remaining elements: a solicitation to award contracts for a restroom and concession building, and separate solicitation for eight remaining shade structures. Mayor Cal Sheehy said initial construction of the Commons — funded in part by the city's $2 million America's Best Community prize and other grants — completed turf, sidewalks and electrical work and removed approximately 880 truckloads of dirt during earlier phases. Sheehy said the council elected to remove restrooms and shade structures from the early build to lower bid prices and pursue those features as separate procurements. “We cut out some of the shade structures, cut out the restrooms… so that we can ensure that we're using the monies in the most wise way,” Sheehy said. The items scheduled for council consideration will decide whether to accept bids for the restroom/concession building and the shade structures; if approved, city staff said contractors would have roughly 90 days after notice to proceed to complete those items and the city aims to finish before the winter holiday events if possible. City staff said the Partnership for Economic Development and GO Lake Havasu will support some funding if the council adopts the recommendations. Officials acknowledged ongoing special event scheduling at the Commons and urged patience while construction and events are coordinated; they also noted the Commons already hosts both organized events and organic weekly uses and that additional shade should increase daily use.