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County staff outline steps and costs to convert Gillespie Street Crown site to green space
Summary
Internal services staff told commissioners converting the former Crown Event Center site on Gillespie Street to public green space will require an engineering site file review, stormwater/DEQ closeout and new survey/design; early quotes for sod/irrigation/grading cited about $662,000 (engineering and permitting excluded). Staff recommended an initial site file review to determine outstanding permits and costs.
County staff updated the Board of Commissioners on work to convert the former Crown Event Center site on Gillespie Street into public green space and identified regulatory and engineering steps required before construction can begin.
"The transition from a high‑density construction site back to green space is subject to city and state mandates," Internal Services Director Jeremy Stefanko said, recommending an engineering site file review to identify open permits and stabilization requirements needed to close out the previous project.
Stefanko said initial vendor consultations and internal assessments produced base quotes for materials and basic components; he cited preliminary landscaping items (sod, irrigation, grading) with a base estimate of about $662,000, but noted that figure does not include engineering, drainage design, or permit costs. He recommended a focused site file review to produce a definitive scope and a more accurate cost estimate and suggested a limited $20,000 not‑to‑exceed engineering review to clarify outstanding requirements.
Commissioners asked how DEQ erosion control or stormwater permit obligations affect timing and cost; Stefanko said staff had already contacted DEQ and must get the site stabilized to close out permits. County Manager Grier and staff agreed to return next month with clearer timelines and a detailed separation of costs required to close the DEQ permit versus the additional costs to build green‑space improvements.
The board asked staff to coordinate with Parks and Recreation on leveraging in‑house assets to lower costs, and to have County Engineer Ken Griffin and internal staff evaluate whether in‑house expertise could complete the file review without a separate consultant. Staff will return with a recommended path to close DEQ items and refined cost estimates.
