Alva board recommends Hatfield Park master plan to qualify for state grant

The Alva Economic Development Authority voted to recommend approval of the Hatfield Park master plan, a step board members said will strengthen the city's application for a state grant program. The motion to approve passed unanimously on a roll call vote.

Why it matters: board members said an approved master plan makes the project more competitive for a funding opportunity repeatedly referenced during discussion (referred to in the meeting as Keyset/TCEP). The plan moves the amphitheater from the south end to the north, removes a proposed dog park and lays out phased work intended to make the project more "shovel ready" for grant review.

Board discussion focused on cost, phasing and procurement. One speaker characterized a recent cost estimate at about $5,000,000 and noted that the grant program requires a minimum project scope of $3,000,000 to be considered. The board also noted the city had already paid half of a $50,000 planning fee for the master plan, with contributions from a local friends group covering the remainder.

Board members discussed whether to solicit additional engineering firms but agreed that having a master plan in hand would help the city apply for grants now and allow revisions or use of different engineers later. A motion to approve the Hatfield Park master plan was made, seconded and approved by roll call: Fisher — yes; Glass — yes; Hanson — yes; Tucker — yes; Schielick — yes; Swallow — yes.

The plan includes conceptual phase work and a series of priorities to be discussed later if grant funding is awarded. No specific construction contract was awarded at the meeting.