CRA staff presented what they described as near-final construction documents for Love Park in the Central CRA and told the board the project is budgeted and moving toward procurement for construction bidding.

A staff member said the design embeds crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) into lighting, camera placement and entry/exit sightlines. The plan also includes low-impact development elements for on-site stormwater pretreatment, pervious walkways, a half-court basketball area, artificial turf play areas and a family area that will be informed by the Love family.

“There's cameras, there's lighting, there's key entries and exits into the park,” the CRA staff member said, adding the design keeps existing trees where possible and uses durable materials “to work with different age groups, from the smallest to the oldest.” The staff member said the artificial turf matches material already used on the Riverwalk and that most walkways are planned as pervious concrete or pervious pavers.

Staff reported the Central CRA advisory board voted unanimously to approve the documents at its recent meeting. The CRA said the budget is in line with expectations; staff also noted the designer requested a percentage-based fee payment and that the firm asked for somewhat less than its contract maximum. A staff member told the board that the design team will meet with Clarence Love’s family “to make sure that what is included in the park artistically aligns with the community and with the Love family's ideas.”

CRA staff said the procurement office will prepare the bid package in coordination with purchasing and public works and that the city has budgeted money for the project. Staff also said the CRA is creating sinking funds in each CRA to finance long-term maintenance after a CRA sunsets so the city can continue to maintain built assets. “You have to finance that plan,” the staff member said; “if we can all have a plan and we don't fund it, it's paper.”

The board discussed materials and warranties: staff said the team will seek contractor warranties required by state procurement and longer equipment warranties where available. The park will be ADA-compliant, include accessible street parking and use materials intended to reduce maintenance. The board was told public art remains an open component; the CRA has a public art consultant working with the project architect and will coordinate the art selection and a call to artists through the Public Art Advisory Board.

Staff said no motion was required at the meeting; staff will return with procurement timelines and confirmed that the funding to construct the park is budgeted.