Residents press council on Rotary Park repairs; city schedules capital outlay review of replacement costs

A local resident sharply criticized the city’s handling of storm damage at Rotary Park, saying the council and administration allowed avoidable delays and higher replacement costs after a pavilion was declared unsafe and demolished rather than repaired. Steve King told the council that a torn roof from a storm should have been repaired by the insurer rather than replaced and that delays and contested claims left the city facing an $850,000 replacement bill. “Instead of a repair pavilion, Livonia taxpayers are left with a large bill for replacement,” King said, and asked when responsible parties would be held accountable. Council members said they took the concern seriously. Vice President Tashnik announced a capital outlay committee meeting to discuss Rotary Park and its replacement plans; the meeting is scheduled for Monday the 15th at 7 p.m. on the second floor. Tashnik said he had sent the item to committee after seeing the $850,000 price tag and wanted a closer review of scope and cost before moving forward. Council members noted the insurance process and procurement history will be reviewed by the capital outlay committee, and engineering and parks staff will be expected to provide documentation on insurance offers, structural assessments and options for repair versus replacement. No final work contract or appropriation was approved at the council meeting; the matter will return to committee and then the council after further review.