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Nogales opens upgraded restrooms at Caron Park; ADA compliance, maintenance questions remain
Summary
City staff reported completion of restroom renovations at Caron Park after permitting and floodplain work. The project used local contractors and aqua funds and cost roughly $65,000; staff said the facility is ADA compliant and minor items remain before a grand opening and a maintenance plan.
City staff told the Nogales mayor and council on May 7 that restroom renovations at Caron Park are substantially complete, but officials said they still need to finish minor punch-list items, coordinate a grand-opening date and finalize a maintenance plan.
Public works staffer Hector Tapia briefed the council on the project’s timeline. Tapia said staff used the city’s allocated “aqua funds” and relied on internal city coordination and local subcontractors. Because the park is in a flood plain, the project required a Santa Cruz County Flood Control use permit and a regular city building permit before work could proceed. Tapia said staff tested the sewer line with a camera and performed materials testing as part of the permitting and design checks.
Tapia said one reason the job took longer was the difficulty of finding a single local contractor to perform all scopes; staff split the work among subcontractors and managed coordination in-house. He told the council the total cost was “close to $65,000” (figure provided as an approximate total), and that staff obtained fixtures at deeply discounted prices (an item Tapia said might have cost $6,000 was purchased for about $350). Final building inspection on the renovation was performed the morning of May 7 and identified only a few minor items needing correction.
Council members asked about ADA compliance and removal of temporary portable toilets. Tapia confirmed the restrooms are ADA compliant and that an ADA ramp with handrail is installed (the handrail will be painted soon). He also said existing portable toilets had been left in place until the restrooms are opened; they will be removed once the facility opens.
Council discussion shifted to ongoing maintenance and vandalism risk. Tapia said the city needs to develop a plan for continuous maintenance and funding so the new restrooms do not fall into disrepair; several council members suggested adding exterior security cameras to deter vandalism. Tapia said he will discuss continued maintenance and funding with the city manager.
Staff proposed scheduling a grand-opening and ribbon-cutting when remaining minor items are finished; Tapia said the opening could be held on a Friday, Saturday or Monday depending on final corrections.
Background: Tapia said staff prioritized local vendors and in-house coordination for cost control; parts that could not be sourced locally were ordered online or from Tucson. The restroom replacement included new water and sewer lines, fixtures, finishes and an ADA ramp. The council did not take a formal vote on the project during the May 7 meeting but directed staff to return with opening logistics and maintenance arrangements.
