City staff to present Forest Park Bandshell options; Central Avenue rehabilitation bids to open Aug. 1

City Manager David updated the commission on several infrastructure items: options to preserve the Forest Park Bandshell, upcoming bidding for the Central Avenue service rehabilitation project, and progress on a Central/Hammer Hill water main project.

David said consulting firm Gravity Works is preparing options that consider comments received about the Great Park Pavilion and the Forest Park Bandshell; the firm will present alternatives that balance preserving the existing bandshell structure and the needs of performers and patrons. Staff plans to present updated information and public feedback to the commission and a committee in August and is accepting public input through July 25. David said the city will determine whether to hold a public forum or rely on survey and Facebook comments already submitted.

On street projects, David said the city plans to open bids Aug. 1 for the Central Avenue service rehabilitation project (from Jones to Haverhill) and described that work as a mill‑and‑overlay with an anticipated start in September and completion within roughly 30 days. He also reported that the contractor is installing casing and main water pipe on the Central and Hammer Hill water main project, with tie‑ins planned the following week and anticipated project completion by Aug. 11.

David also said the city has eight condemnation hearings scheduled for the Aug. 4 meeting (three tied to the June 3 flood event), and he recognized staff achievements including the police division’s recent arrest in a bank robbery case and completion of the city website transition to a .gov domain. He said several job openings are posted.