Mayodan council reviews two Washington Mills Park designs, orders more contractor costing and archaeological survey; PCB cleanup next step

Designers and staff presented two competing schematic directions for Washington Mills Park and asked the Mayodan Town Council for direction on which to advance to a council‑approved schematic.

The council heard from Destination by Design, represented by Eric, who said the team prepared two concepts: one that preserves the existing administration/mill building as an open‑air pavilion and concentrates parking and program areas to the east; and a second that removes the structure and creates a small amphitheater with a new restroom and terraced seating. Eric said the project team is still in schematic and discovery phases and stressed that grant obligations require on‑site football and basketball courts, a trail and river access.

Why it matters: the site carries multiple constraints — a Duke Energy easement, a storm drain that “cannot move,” a portion of the building within railroad right‑of‑way, and base‑flood‑elevation issues that affect whether restrooms and enclosed spaces can be insured and permitted. Those constraints materially affect permitting, insurance costs and whether it is feasible to keep and renovate the historic structure.

Council and staff flagged cost uncertainty and asked for competitive…