The City Council approved a not-to-exceed $278,600 contract with BlueStar for demolition of the former David E. Walt Community Center at Galloway Lake Park, funded through a Sparks grant. DPW staff said eight bids were received and that the successful bidder met evaluation criteria.

Council members pressed staff about the balance of the Sparks grant, which had been awarded at roughly $750,000, and whether leftover funds could be used for other park improvements. Grants staff said the demolition bid came in under the grant award and that, depending on grant requirements, unused funds may have to be returned to the funder or could be repurposed only with the funder's approval. "The bottom line is we are getting the scope of the original grant application complete with this demolition," grants staff said, adding the city will seek confirmation from the funder on allowable reallocation.

Councilwoman James and others noted the long delay in executing the grant. Administration said technical negotiations (for example, whether demolition would include small restroom structures) had contributed to the timeline. The resolution awarding the demolition contract was adopted by council.