Council approves remediation and historic‑preservation projects; parks director describes Calhoun and City Hall plans
Loading...
Summary
Council members approved contracts and resolutions to remediate Calhoun Street sports complex, upgrade tennis courts with a $60,000 partner contribution, and pursue a $3 million historic‑trust grant to restore City Hall; Carver Center rehabilitation bids were rejected and will be rebid.
Council members voted on several parks, recreation and historic‑preservation items on Aug. 7, advancing remediation and restoration projects and directing staff to rebid a larger rehabilitation job at Carver Center.
Paul Harris, the city’s recreation director, told the council that the Calhoun Street sports complex (soccer/football/basketball/pool) needs a licensed‑site remediation professional to sample soils and ensure compliance with DEP before new construction or upgrades. The item on the docket (listed in council materials as Resolution 25‑283) funds an LSRP to perform that work. Harris described the long‑term plan as rebuilding a building at the site, adding storage and concession space and upgrading fields for youth programs.
Harris also said the city will upgrade 19 tennis courts and that the National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) will contribute $60,000 to that work. “We own it. So it's my responsibility to handle the upgrades,” Harris said; he added that most players using those courts are Trentonians.
On historic preservation, the council approved a $3 million award the administration described as coming from state historic‑trust funding and other sources gathered over time. Harris and council members said the money is restricted to qualified historic‑preservation contractors; the project will restore exterior features and key architectural elements of City Hall, including repointing masonry, restoring lighting and banisters, repairing the entry mosaics and plaza, and other historically appropriate repairs. Harris said the scope is intended to “make the building look like it was in 1910” and that the project team includes experienced preservation architects and consultants.
Council accepted administration advice to reject a bid for rehabilitation at Carver Center (Resolution listed as a rejection) because bids exceeded available CDBG allocations; staff said they will re‑advertise and expect bids next week and that timing for construction is weather‑dependent since much work is outdoor. The council and director estimated a 10‑month build period once the contract is awarded and construction begins.
Public comment and council statements included requests for clarity on oversight and monitoring of contracts after prior problems at Stacy Park; a resident asked which managers would be responsible for the $3,000,000 City Hall work and whether Housing and Economic Development or Parks and Recreation would lead specific projects. Harris and other staff explained that historic‑trust funds often come with restrictions that determine which department administers a given grant, and that for some parks projects the Recreation Department administers the funds even when other agencies consult.
The council recorded roll‑call votes on the items; officials said they will post procurement and oversight details for the larger projects and will re‑advertise the Carver Center work with updated budgets.
