Harrisburg council approves $279,045 contract for Historic Farm Mill park design

The Town of Harrisburg approved a $279,045 design-and-engineering contract with McGill and Associates for the Historic Farm Mill park at the corner of Farm Mill and Shamrock Roads.

Jim Spino presented three conceptual designs and a proposed scope that includes a roughly 24-space parking lot, a community building sized to host about 50–75 people, a restored mill foundation footprint and exhibit, elevated boardwalk and kayak/canoe access on the Rocky River, paved and natural trails and interpretive signage. Spino said McGill’s quote for design services fits within the council’s currently approved budget.

Several residents raised concerns during public comment about floodplain vulnerability, traffic impacts, transparency and whether the site was the best use of taxpayer dollars; Patricia Priebes said she could find no documentation about the plan on the town’s website and asked whether a site at Farm Hill Park — which is not in the floodplain — might be preferable. Town Manager Rob and staff responded that conceptual materials and prior workshop discussions are available online and that staff would place building elements outside the floodplain where required, conduct geotechnical and environmental assessments and use flood-resilient materials or design strategies where appropriate.

Commissioner Ian Patrick offered to provide pro bono architectural design support from his firm to work with McGill, and staff clarified that any deliverables under that arrangement would flow through McGill’s contract. Council members discussed contract protections and termination terms; the town confirmed design-phase surveys and geotechnical work are standard early tasks and that the contract is terminable at stages if the project proves infeasible.

The council then voted to approve the McGill contract by voice vote. During the motion and discussion, staff explained contingency steps (surveys, borings, environmental site assessments) that would occur before major construction decisions. The council also approved several external board appointments and then adjourned.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the contracted design tasks — surveys, geotechnical analysis and flood evaluation — and will return to council with findings and design milestones. Residents concerned about the location and floodplain impacts were directed to staff for follow-up materials and records already posted online.