Coos Bay staff plan masonry restroom to speed Mingus Park project; Dominguez ballfield restroom nearing completion

City of Coos Bay Parks staff told the Parks Commission they will pursue a concrete masonry restroom for Mingus Park instead of a prefabricated fiberglass unit to shorten delivery time and lower costs, and that restroom improvements at Dominguez Park are nearly complete.

The move matters because the prefabricated fiberglass restroom had a 10-to-12-month lead time and a large delivery fee; staff said the masonry option will cut lead time roughly in half and cost about 70% of the fiberglass model. Greg Hamlet, City of Coos Bay, told the commission, "We're gonna probably be pursuing a different style of restroom, a, CMU wall that has half a lead time and about a 70% cost, of the the fiberglass restroom." He added, "Well, it takes the delivery from 10 to 12 months to 4 to 6 months." Hamlet said staff will present the revised procurement approach to city council and the commission next month.

Commissioners asked whether the change alters the installation schedule. Hamlet said the masonry option shortens the expected delivery window and that staff "would like to pursue it sooner rather than later." The commission discussed fall park programming and whether the restroom would be available for autumn use; staff cautioned the installation still requires council approval and site work.

Separately, staff reported progress at Dominguez Park's ballfield restroom: roof replacement is complete, old fixtures were removed, replacement fixtures have been received, new electrical service installed and exterior door replacement is underway. Hamlet said once doors are installed the new fixtures will be put in and the restroom will be opened for daytime use for park visitors.

City staff also noted cost drivers for the prefabricated option, including a $37,000–$40,000 delivery fee and additional slab and utility prework that a turnkey masonry solution would avoid. The commission did not take a formal vote; staff said they will seek council direction before executing the change in procurement.

The update also referenced other capital work included in staff reports: continued coordination of long-lead prefabricated elements, pending site utility work, and scheduling constraints tied to seasonal soil drying for projects such as the rewilding effort. The commission will see the masonry restroom proposal at an upcoming work session prior to council action.

The commission's discussion was recorded during the regular Parks Commission meeting and the item will be returned to the council and commission for formal decision and any contract award.

Staff and commissioners asked to be notified of the council decision and of any changes to the installation timeline.