Crowley parks update: MLK Park benches arriving amid concerns about concrete work; pavilion contractor paid

City recreation staff reported progress at Martin Luther King Park and other neighborhood parks while council approved a partial contractor payment for the parks pavilion project.

Recreation Director Zach Dujon told the committee the park benches have been delivered and contractor crews will begin pouring sidewalks at 6 a.m. tomorrow so the benches can be anchored. Dujon said electricians are reviewing lighting at the memorial statue and that neighborhood volunteers and donors — named in the meeting as Dr. Proctor and the local branch of the National Association of University Women — have contributed benches and funds for park upgrades.

Alderman Steph raised technical concerns about the concrete forming, reinforcement and compaction at MLK Park, saying she had inspected freshly poured areas and worried quarter‑inch plywood forms and missing reinforcement wire could affect long‑term durability. Dujon acknowledged the concerns and said staff are getting quotes for electrical work and coordinating installation of benches after concrete is poured.

In Public Buildings committee business, members voted to approve partial payment No. 8 to Prestigious Construction Group in the amount of $77,424.05 for the parks and pavilion project. The motion carried; the committee chair said final architect paperwork would be provided before next week's meeting.

The items reported were procedural and project‑management updates; no new contracting changes or additional appropriations were presented at the meeting.