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Concord reviews parks bond progress; council approves $18 million contract for major northwest park
Summary
City staff updated council on multiple general-obligation bond projects, including playground openings, streambank repairs and a $17.98 million contract awarded to JD Goodrum for the Grama/Jim Ramsore park project, which came in roughly $2 million under the engineer's estimate.
City staff told the Concord City Council at its regular April meeting that several parks and recreation projects funded by the city's general obligation bond program are moving forward, and the council authorized a construction contract for the largest park project in the program.
The presentation summarized projects under construction, recent openings and upcoming bids. Staff reported the city is “now at $1,700,000 under the funding availability that we have” after the bid opening for Transfer Park, and highlighted a recently reopened North Park playground. The council then approved a $17,975,041.95 contract with JD Goodrum Company for the city's largest bond-funded park project in the northwest area of the city.
Why it matters: The approved contract moves the Grama/JE Jim Ramsore Park from design into construction and preserves bond funds for other projects. Staff said the JD Goodrum bid came in substantially below the engineer's estimate, reducing the overall projected pressure on the bond program.
Details: Staff noted several items: - North Park: A new playground installed by GameTime has been inspected and opened; a few finishing items such as signage for a learn-to-play disc golf course remain to be completed. - Cuddle Creek streambank repair: Access agreements are signed and construction is expected to begin in May with an estimated 60-day duration. - Academy Gibson/McGinnis Aquatic Center: Work continues; staff cited improved weather and targeted an opening for the regular pool season on May 24. - Marvin Caldwell Park: Demolition is complete and stormwater control measures are being installed; the project remains on a summer 2026 completion timeline. - Grama/JE Jim Ramsore Park: JD Goodrum Company was the low, responsible bidder. Staff reported the bid came in roughly $2 million below the engineer's estimate and approximately $1.3 million below the original bond allowance. Construction is expected to begin in May; staff said a groundbreaking date will be announced. - Upcoming and parallel projects: Academy Gibson athletic fields (permitting and bidding to follow), a traffic-garden planning effort funded in partnership with Cabarrus Health Alliance through a CDC REACH grant, skate park/pump track/sculpture garden (final design anticipated this summer; bidding projected for fall), Dave Phillips Park (soil issues require redesign affecting playground and AV/educational areas), Hartsell Park (design and restroom rebuild moving toward final approval), and the Poplar Town Trailhead (design by the engineering department; bidding anticipated in spring 2027).
Funding and timing: Staff said most project sequences remain unchanged although individual schedules shift by weeks or months depending on permitting, design and contractor availability. The presenter told council that the Grama Park contract that council approved is about $17.98 million. For smaller projects staff gave tentative bid or construction windows that range from later this year through fiscal year 2027.
Council members thanked staff and the engineering team for packaging competitive bids and advancing projects. Staff closed the update by noting community outreach and an upcoming community 5K Bunny Run event on April 18.
Ending: Council did not request additional public hearings for these bond projects at the meeting; staff will return with final design documents and permitting updates as individual projects move to bid and construction.
