Woodfin council approves contracts to advance Silverline, Riverside and Taylor's Wave park repairs

Woodfin Town Council voted April 14 to approve budget amendments and contracts needed to move several long-running parks recovery projects into construction, including Silverline Park, Riverside Park phase 2 and work on Taylor's Wave.

Cherry Powers, who opened the FY27 budget work session, told the council the town expects a large FEMA obligation to be finalized soon and that staff had designed the recommended budget to accommodate the remaining park work. "We should be getting reimbursement for that pretty soon," she said of the last debris-removal obligation.

Adrian, the staff lead on parks construction, said Silverline Park had been split into FEMA-recovery work and a restroom construction package. The original combined bid of about $1.5 million was reduced to just over $1.3 million after negotiations and value engineering; the restroom portion will be procured through Sourcewell and purchased from CXT. "We were able to identify cost savings of $278,000 from the original bid," Adrian said, noting reduced mobilization costs, less grading and a more modest concrete pad behind the restroom building.

On Riverside Park phase 2, staff described a rebid and an initial contractor change order that raised optional add-alternates from $2.8 million to $3.5 million. After additional value engineering staff said they cut the increase to roughly 10 percent above the original option sum by removing several add-alternates (public art and table features) and trimming some design elements. Council members pressed staff about whether the removed items could be added later as funds became available; staff said those features were being retained as add-alternates so fundraising or contingency dollars could restore them.

Taylor's Wave, which includes a separate contingency for a cofferdam repair, was described as balanced with identified revenue sources including a state grant; staff said they expect the project to remain on budget and on a schedule that would have construction substantially complete by September. If the contingency is not used, that money would return to fund balance, staff said.

During the meeting a council member moved to approve budget amendments (ordinance 2026-03) and to authorize the town manager to enter five contracts: a construction contract with BH Grading for Silverline Park (restoration and restrooms), purchase of a prefabricated restroom via Sourcewell, a construction contract change order with Baker Grading & Landscaping for Riverside Park phase 2, and two engineering contracts with Withers Ravenel for stormwater and road infrastructure work. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

Outcomes and next steps include entering the approved contracts so construction can begin within roughly 30 days, a BH Grading timeline of about four months for Silverline Park work, and staff continuing to seek private donations and monitor contingency use for Riverside Park add-ons. Staff also emphasized that while most park work is expected to be reimbursed, FEMA reimbursements arrive by obligation and the town is bridging cashflow to keep projects moving.

The council discussion also included questions about construction impacts on park access and whether some work could be done in-house to save costs; staff said warranty and liability considerations and the need for a complete contracted scope informed the procurement approach. The meeting adjourned at 1:58 p.m.