Former councilwoman Vera Ames presses city leaders over Vera Ames Community Park renovations

At the Feb. 18 meeting former Councilwoman Vera Ames used the public-comment period to voice detailed, sustained objections to the city’s handling of renovations at the Vera Ames Community Park.

Ames said the city erected an eight-foot construction fence on Jan. 16 and began excavation without notifying her, despite the park being named in her honor and funds — she said $4.3 million — having been allocated for renovation. She described earlier planning meetings she attended with local officials and said she and other residents had not been invited to later project meetings. Ames asked the council for a line-by-line accounting of how funds have been allocated, the project timeline and the identity of the site manager, and she pressed for preservation of historic stonework on the park’s perimeter.

Director of Public Works responded in the meeting that work had proceeded under the administration’s schedule and said he would meet with Ames and arrange an immediate staff meeting; Council President also committed to arranging follow-up meetings and to pressing the administration to provide a detailed project accounting.

Community members who spoke during public comment echoed concerns about transparency, tree removal and the timing of concrete pours in winter conditions. Council members said they would ask the administration for the project breakdown and to meet with Ames and neighborhood stakeholders promptly.