Hudson staff present $180,000 hybrid bandstand plan; council requests public input on accessibility options

City Manager Tom Sheridan presented hybrid renderings for a planned bandstand/gazebo and summarized stakeholder feedback, materials and cost. Sheridan said stakeholders liked the footprint and banding, recommended pervious concrete for drainage, and that the current version reduces cost to "about a $180,000 estimate" by removing a wrap-around retaining wall.

Sheridan said staff included a ramp option whose cost would be an "approximately 5 to $10,000" addition; he also described a mechanical lift as a future alternate if the full ramp proved too costly or intrusive. "We just made a place for it, it is not included in the estimate," Sheridan said of the lift option, adding that staff could price a lift as an alternate bid later. Sheridan said commercial-grade lifts would be considered and that the project team aims to open the gazebo by July 4 if bids and scheduling allow.

Councilors pressed staff on reliability, visibility and aesthetics. Councilor Gaetz cautioned that mechanical lifts "are kinda clunky" and "they don't always work well," and Council President Berg asked staff to confirm feedback from people with disabilities and to evaluate lift reliability. Council directed staff to post the hybrid rendering (minus the no-ramp version) on the city's "Let's Talk Hudson" engagement site for about 10 days to two weeks so residents can review estimated costs and provide input; Sheridan said he would report back with polling results and noted some funding could come from year-end savings and other adjustments in the capital program.

The design discussion included options to move railings to reduce visual impact, add a drape for acoustics, and consider pervious concrete to improve drainage. Staff told council they would post the renderings before the end of the week and return with community feedback for a future meeting.