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Sunbury staff recommends advancing $3.2 million JR Smith Park plan; engineering and borrowing discussed
Summary
City staff updated the Parks and Recreation Committee on plans for JR Smith Park, reporting roughly $3.2 million in estimated costs, $1 million already secured (ARPA and general revenue), and staff recommendation to proceed with detailed engineering and then borrow the balance if necessary.
City staff presented a progress update on the JR Smith Park project to the Sunbury City Parks and Recreation Committee on Jan. 8, saying the comprehensive plan envisions a splash pad, a restroom-equipped pavilion, a playground, paved trails, landscaping, an entry feature and a multi-use court, and estimated the overall project cost at roughly $3,200,000.
Dan, a city staff member, said the city has $1,000,000 in funding already allocated — $500,000 from ARPA funds and $500,000 from a general revenue appropriation — leaving a funding gap the city could fill by borrowing. The city’s financial adviser ran scenarios showing debt service in the “neighborhood of $150,000 to $200,000 per year” if the city borrowed the remaining balance; staff noted projected parks-related impact fees of about $100,000 per year that could cover roughly half that debt service.
Staff recommended proceeding with design and engineering for the full project, asking CT (consultants) and Vergantus to prepare detailed engineering and a task order so the city can then bid the work and determine the exact borrowing need. Dan said survey and geotechnical work have already been authorized and started, and that the task order will clarify design costs for council action.
Committee members reviewed project components and raised logistical questions: whether park restrooms would be winterized or locked outside splash-pad season, concerns about security and maintenance of restroom facilities, and a possible connection to the Ohio to Erie Trail that might require crossing property owned by another party. Staff said those issues would be addressed during the design phase and that self-locking restroom options and other security measures are under consideration.
Staff also proposed revisiting a draft donation policy to allow private sponsorships of park elements, which could reduce borrowing needs. The update incorporated the project’s planning history — the parks master plan discussion dating to 2018 — and noted related downtown investments, including Route 37 expansion, a pedestrian bridge and streetscape work for the downtown square.
No formal committee vote to borrow or award contracts was recorded at the Jan. 8 meeting; staff indicated the next formal steps would be approving a design task order and, after bids, council consideration of borrowing requirements.
