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Middleton council approves $666,666 award for Parisi Park shelter after public push for year‑round restrooms
Summary
After extensive public comment urging restoration of year‑round restrooms, Middleton Common Council amended the capital budget and awarded a $666,666 contract to Advance Building Corporation to build a new shelter at Parisi Park, funded from developer park‑development dollars, officials said.
Middleton — The Common Council unanimously approved funding changes and awarded a construction contract for a new shelter and year‑round restrooms at Parisi Park on a motion Tuesday, following a wave of public comments from neighborhood residents urging the work.
Residents and park advocates described heavy daily use of Parisi Park and the Pheasant Branch corridor and said the existing restroom and drinking fountain have been out of service this year. “I really wanted to come and support the project on behalf of the neighborhood and the community,” said Adrienne Rivard, who lives near the park.
City staff told the council the project had been designed and approved by the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission in prior years and that the proposed work is intended to be paid from park development funds — money collected from developers as fees in lieu of on‑site parkland. Kylie (city staff) said the park development fund balance is adequate to cover the project and cited an available balance she described as approximately $3,800,000; council members noted past budget planning had estimated a mid‑range amount of roughly $500,000 for the project and that bids came in higher than earlier estimates.
Erin Summers, a former parks commissioner, urged the council to use park development funds rather than general capital funds, saying those developer‑collected funds are not taxpayer dollars and “are separate from capital funds.” Several other speakers, including nearby residents and youth, emphasized the accessibility benefits of year‑round ADA‑compliant restrooms.
Council members discussed the large bid range and the Parks Commission’s recent 3–3 split on the item. After questions about design review, bidder prices and prioritization across the park system, the council approved a budget amendment (Resolution 2025‑37) and later voted to award the construction contract to Advance Building Corporation for an amount not to exceed $666,666, subject to city‑attorney review of contracts.
The council also approved related bid awards for the project and retained authority to review contract language, and staff said the city will work to schedule a ribbon‑cutting after construction. The award is contingent on final contract approval by the city attorney.
