Council approves repairs to SRP Park ‘Wow Terrace’; contractor to mobilize immediately

North Augusta City Council on Jan. 6 approved a resolution authorizing the city to contract with Brasfield & Gorrie to repair water infiltration and reconstruct the Wow Terrace patio at SRP Park.

City staff said testing by a weatherproofing consultant showed post-warranty leaks and recommended demolition and reconstruction of the terrace’s concrete and brick surfaces, followed by waterproofing and water testing before final acceptance. The contractor that built the original structure, Brasfield & Gorrie, submitted a price for the work and agreed to provide contract administration and on-site supervision as part of its engagement.

The repairs will include demolition of the outdoor patio area outside the Wow Club, waterproofing, reconstruction to “like-new” condition and water testing before acceptance, city staff said. Staff told council the contractor could mobilize to the site the day after the meeting and that the city hopes to complete the work before the spring baseball season; staff said the work would not impede stadium operations.

In council discussion, members pressed staff on two questions: whether the city had legal recourse against the original developer or contractor given that the warranty period had elapsed, and whether the city had communicated construction timelines to affected retail tenants. Staff said the warranty had expired, that investigations could not definitively assign all causes to design or construction defects, and that Brasfield & Gorrie’s price covered subcontractor costs while the firm assumed contract administration responsibilities.

Council members expressed frustration that the leaks were identified late and that the city was “boxed in” to pay for repairs. One council member said the cost was “roughly around $280,000,” reflecting an exchange during the meeting; staff said the work included allowances to address cosmetic damage inside tenant spaces. Staff also said the contractor is prepared to mobilize and that the work includes contingency allowances for tenant repairs.

Council debated whether to delay for a study session; staff warned a delay would push construction into baseball season and affect tenants. Several council members urged the city to require more thorough review and study sessions for future projects affecting Riverside Village and SRP Park to avoid similar situations.

After discussion, council voted unanimously to approve the engineering resolution and contract authorization for the terrace repairs.

Council and staff said they will inspect work during demolition to better understand cause and to document whether the problem arose from design, construction or both. Staff said ongoing inspections during the repair will ensure the work follows the consultant’s recommendations.

The city did not provide a detailed line‑item budget or a final contract amount at the meeting; staff said some funding will come from the RiverFront core fund and that the appropriation would not deplete that fund. Staff also said they will communicate a more specific construction timeline and tenant notification plan as the contractor finalizes mobilization details.

Votes at the meeting were unanimous on the resolution authorizing the contract.