In a unanimous vote, the Plant City Commission established Feb. 24 the visual identity of the Midtown project.
With a 4-0 vote (Vice Mayor Rick Lott was absent), the commission endorsed a design concept for the Village Green park, which will become the centerpiece of the redevelopment project just south of downtown.
The park, which will be situated between South Wheeler and South Evers streets, will feature a circular design centered around a fountain. Brick pavers will serve as diagonal paths from the block corners to the fountain. The park also will include wrought-iron benches, decorative lighting and matching trash receptacles. All the walkways will be lined with trees, which will be chosen for their phytoremediation properties to continue to clean and restore the once-contaminated site.
“The issue for the design of this park is two-fold: It is a place (that would serve) as a meeting center and it also is to provide phytoremediation for the high nitrogen and phosphate that’s there from the Gro Mor Fertilizer plant,” said Steve Boggs, of Boggs Engineering, which created the concept with landscape architectural firm L.A. Design Inc. “In the design, we had to specify trees and shrubs that have the ability to have high uptake of both nitrogen and phosphorus.”
The plans have been submitted to the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission for approval, Boggs said.
City Manager Greg Horwedel said he is pleased with the concept.
“I think they have done a very good job at creating a colonnade of trees that really highlights that really highlights the central feature of the park, which is the fountain,” he said.
The concept originally came before the commission with two different fountain barrier options. One was a 12- to 18-inch-tall solid wall, and the other was a decorative chain with safety bollards.
Ultimately, the commissioners opted for the more open chain/bollard concept, after Boggs assuaged their safety and liability concerns. The fountain, he said, was designed not to have any standing water. Its outer edges would feature a pebble-laden surface that would slope toward a central drain, and the only pooling of water would be about one-half-inch deep and occur only at the base of the fountain’s center.
Horwedel said preliminary budget estimates are $160,000 for the fountain; $150,000 for the trees and other landscaping; and $140,000 for sidewalks, pavers and hardscaping. Funds for the project will be taken from the Community Redevelopment Agency Trust Fund ($280,000) and the Brownfield Cleanup Grant Fund ($170,000).
With the commission’s approval, the city now will open the project to the development community for bids.
SNOWDEN PARK
While working on a smaller project, city officials discovered broken glass and other debris below the surface in some areas of Snowden Park, 902 Waller St.
The city now will excavate the contaminated soil near the sidewalks and other park facilities and then cap the surface with new, clean soil. Some of the existing facilities will be demolished in the process. The restrooms and newer pavilion will be spared; but the park will receive new ball fields, basketball courts, playground equipment, lighting and landscaping.
Community Development Block Grant funding of $640,000 has been allocated for the project.
ELLIS-METHVIN PARK
Wet weather and incorrect materials shipped from the vendor were the latest problems to slow work on Ellis-Methvin Park, 2401 E. Cherry St. City staff now expects the fields to be complete by April 25.
Since the project began, city staff has experienced several issues. The most severe was the discovery of hardpan under the soil, where the soccer fields will be built. This required significant soil removal and additional water-management features.
Originally, the city planned to complete the project using in-house staff. However, because of budget cuts and an the expanding scope of work, the city now will solicit quotes from private contractors to complete the work. That expense will come before the commission for approval at a later date.
DONATION BINS
The city will hold a public hearing regarding permitting and placement of donation bins at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 10, at City Hall, 302 W. Reynolds St. Currently, there are 53 donation bins within Plant City’s boundaries.
The hearing comes after the recent proliferation of donation bins in the city. Many municipalities limit the bins to non-profit charitable organizations and require permits and associated fees. Those organizations also are required to place the bins within certain areas and distances from adjacent properties. Moreover, the city then can restrict the number of bins permitted at any given location.
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.
IN OTHER NEWS
• The commission voted unanimously to condemn the house, shed, fence and pool at 1101 N. Knight St., which city staff determined pose significant danger to the community.
• Commissioners Mike Sparkman and Bill Dodson will retain their seats on the commission. No one qualified to run against either incumbent by the Feb. 21 deadline. Their three-year terms will begin in June.
• The commission recognized Plant City native Larry Sykes, who was promoted recently to assistant superintendent of student services and federal programs of Hillsborough County Public Schools.
• Mayor Mary Thomas Mathis also presented proclamations to the 2014 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court, as well as the Junior Royalty Court.