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Hope Mills officials back refining Option 3 for Lake Park master plan, estimate near $1.5 million
Summary
Town staff reported 502 survey responses and a public meeting favoring Design Option 3 for the Lake Park master plan; the conceptual construction base bid was presented as $1,349,567 with a probable total near $1.5 million, and staff recommended phasing and pursuing grants to cover match requirements.
Hope Mills town staff told the board on Jan. 5 that residents overwhelmingly favored Design Option 3 for the Lake Park master plan, and staff proposed moving the preferred concept forward for refinement, cost phasing and grant pursuit.
The town's presenter, referred to in meeting discussion as Lamarco, said 502 residents responded to an August'025 survey and that "46% overwhelmingly chose design option number three." He told the board the conceptual construction base bid is $1,349,567 and, after a standard contingency, a probable planning-level total is about $1.5 million.
Why it matters: the master plan will be the basis for grant applications and for the town's capital-improvement program (CIP). Staff said a finalized plan with a phasing schedule will let the town apply for state and federal grants (staff mentioned CDBG and LWCF among programs to explore) and stage work so taxpayers are not required to fund the entire project at once.
Board members and staff discussed priorities identified by survey respondents: safety measures (fencing, playground placement and pedestrian protections), permanent restroom facilities (to replace some portable units during non-event periods), parking expansion, shade and accessible play equipment. Staff noted the plan will balance maintaining the park's heritage and serenity with adding amenities.
On funding, staff said the master plan will include probable-cost statements and a phasing plan that the board can align with grant opportunities or the five-year CIP. The presenter said some elements (for instance, a restroom or a playground) could be phased first at lower price points so the town can use grant leverage and staging to reduce the immediate impact on the general fund.
The board did not take a final vote on project adoption at the Jan. 5 meeting; commissioners asked staff to return a recommended, adoptable final master plan, probable-cost phasing, and grant strategy for formal board action at a future meeting.
Next steps: staff will ask the consultant to refine Option 3 into a final master plan with a phasing schedule and cost refinements, post the survey and public-input materials on the town website, and present the final plan for adoption and grant submittal.
