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Polk City outlines $4 million cap for Phase 1 of regional park, plans Northeast 7th access and TIF financing
Summary
Polk City's parks director told the commission the city council has authorized design with Snyder & Associates and estimates Phase 1 costs will not exceed $4,000,000; plans include soccer fields, parking, a baseball practice quad and a modern restroom, with construction possibly beginning April 2026 and fields playable in fall 2027.
The Parks and Recreation Director said the city council is proceeding with Phase 1 of a new regional park and has authorized an engineering agreement with Snyder and Associates to design the first phase.
"The estimated Phase 1 project cost is to not exceed $4,000,000," the Director said, adding the work will include construction of soccer fields, parking lots, a baseball practice quad and a modern flushable restroom. The city also plans to construct Northeast 7th Street along the park's western boundary to satisfy a development agreement and provide direct park access.
According to the Director, the city will borrow to fund construction and use tax increment financing (TIF) as the repayment source to minimize the impact on taxpayers, with design expected to finish by early spring 2026. The project may be bid and possibly under construction as early as April 2026; the director estimated fields would be playable by fall 2027.
The Director also noted that Phase 3 of the Polk City Junction Trail will pass through the new park and is included in the project scope. Commission members asked for clarifications on field counts and facilities; the Director said the master plan shows three 19U fields and three 12U fields and that the restroom building will be built initially for restrooms but can be expanded later to include concessions if funding allows.
The commission did not take a final action on funding at the meeting; the Director characterized the update as the design and financing stage with borrowing expected to be completed by the end of November.
