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Newton approves $1.33M for Central Recreation Phase I, adopts ordinance for Phase II
Summary
The Newton City Council voted to spend $1.33 million to complete Phase I of the Central Recreation rehabilitation and adopted a capital project ordinance for Phase II, after staff described a two-phase plan and state grant funding for Phase I.
The Newton City Council on April 9 approved using $1,330,000 — a $950,000 Neighborhood Revitalization Grant and $380,000 in American Rescue Plan funds — to complete Phase I of the Central Recreation Building rehabilitation.
City Manager Sean Hovis said the site at 301 S. Ervin Ave currently contains a gymnasium, the original school building and classrooms. Hovis told council the two-phase plan, developed with community input and design work from Adams and Associates, would prioritize gym upgrades for Phase I (rehab bathrooms, a concession area, a Hall of History in the old boiler area, a new vestibule and a rehab office for a programmer) while Phase II would address a lower classroom section that requires extensive environmental abatement and mechanical work. Hovis said Adams and Associates estimated the full project at just over $5 million and split the work into a Phase I estimate of roughly $1.4 million and Phase II at about $3.5 million.
Council unanimously approved staff’s recommendation to use available funds for Phase I, a vote that council members characterized as a strategy to complete at least one visible phase and improve prospects for additional grant funding for Phase II. Finance Director Kim Robinson told council the Department of Commerce will allow a limited request for additional funds (about $70,000) to cover the gap in Phase I if formally requested, but Robinson emphasized that any additional release is not guaranteed.
Separately, Council Member Beverly Danner moved and the council adopted a capital project ordinance for Central Recreation Project Phase II so the city would have a project ordinance in place should future funding be secured; that ordinance was adopted with two members recorded as voting against it. Finance Director Robinson noted the ordinance itself does not create an unavoidable financial commitment and could be reversed by a subsequent council.
The council’s action follows outreach with East Newton community members, a competitive selection of Adams and Associates for architectural and engineering services, and the city’s prior commitment of ARPA funds. Next steps identified by staff include completing the Phase I scope and pursuing additional grant opportunities for the classroom-focused Phase II.
