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Cornelius Road Park nears completion; Moore Park, Willow Valley and library projects need more funding
Summary
Construction at Cornelius Road Park is underway with turf fields and infrastructure in place; Willow Valley is funded and scheduled for 2026 completion, while Moore Park and renovations to the main library and Lee Street Park have funding gaps that the board must address.
Construction managers and facilities staff updated the board on parks and library capital projects.
Cornelius Road Park: John Smonyak, the town’s construction project manager, said the Cornelius Road Park project (construction phase cost just over $7.6 million) is progressing with turf installation, lighting, restrooms and parking work under way. He said the contractor has completed stormwater connections and that schedule-sensitive items remain weather-dependent. An on-site turn lane on Cornelius Road requires an easement; staff said they are in a verbal agreement with a property owner and are finalizing survey and legal work.
Willow Valley Park: Staff said the Willow Valley master plan design is complete, federal/ARPA funding is in place (about $2.1 million for the project) and the town will seek construction bids this year with a target substantial-completion deadline in June 2026.
Moore Park and funding gap: Staff presented a revised estimate for Moore Park phase 1 construction of about $9.6 million and total project needs near $10 million when ancillary costs are included. With existing FY25 capital reserves, staff said the town faces an estimated $5.9 million funding gap to complete phase 1 as presented. Commissioners discussed phasing, parking solutions and whether to use debt to cover the shortfall.
Library and Lee Street Park: The Main Library requires interior renovations, partial roof replacement and furniture/fixtures estimated at roughly $2.4 million; Lee Street Park conceptual design was presented with a roughly $1.1 million construction estimate. Staff said both projects are currently unfunded and would be considered in upcoming capital planning discussions.
Ending: The board asked staff to return with parking and phasing options for Moore Park, final bid results for Cornelius Road Park and additional information about funding approaches for the library and Lee Street Park.
