Dec. 7 -- Joplin city officials have a plan to handle cost overruns on two parks projects promised to voters.
Leslie Haase, the city's finance director, informed the City Council that details on how the shortfalls could be addressed will be presented at its meeting on Dec. 16.
The shortfalls concern the Dover Outdoor Recreation Area bike park and Ewert Park improvements.
"We have talked a lot about ARPA grants during budget work sessions. We talked a little about project funding and that it has been common knowledge that we have anticipated that bids may come in higher than expected due to both material cost increases as well as the volume of work the grant opportunities have created for engineers and contractors across America," Haase said.
This demand, along with tax-funded projects such as beautification work using some of the city's use-tax funding, "creates shortages and overruns that are challenges to each entity" receiving ARPA funding, she explained. The city must obligate ARPA funds by year-end, with several emergency ordinances on the agenda to meet this deadline.
"With this said, our ARPA projects have been bid and the financial picture is becoming clearer," Haase stated. She mentioned those contracts would also be presented at the next council meeting.
The Ewert Park proposal faces a $3.7 million shortfall. This project includes a splash park and ice ribbon replacing an old swimming pool. Additionally, tennis courts will become covered basketball courts; an amphitheater will be built alongside them with security lighting, cameras, and playground updates included.
The original budget for the bike park was approximately $3.7 million but is now projected over $6.7 million—a shortfall exceeding $3 million. Planned for local bicyclists and tourists alike at a 95-acre tract east of Lone Elm Road south of Zora Street near Dover Hill Elementary School's site—previously used soccer fields—it features trails plus amenities like parking lots with vendor hookups restrooms pavilions where events can occur among others discussed earlier too!
- A main parking lot with 70 spaces
- Vendor hookups
- Restrooms
- A pavilion with activities/events hosting capabilities
One ARPA project—the widening of 20th Street from Schifferdecker Avenue to Central City Road—will cost around $2 million less than estimated.
Council member Doris Carlin requested addressing overages next meeting; Haase assured updates then regarding reallocating funds from under-budgeted projects toward covering these deficits elsewhere instead! Carlin expressed concern about piecemeal handling asking how officials might avoid scrambling last minute situations like current ones faced today?
"These are unprecedented times," Haase responded thoughtfully before continuing: "We must fit puzzle pieces together despite timing differences involved here now." She emphasized doing best possible given grant rules/timelines required following closely always remaining mindful throughout decision-making processes undertaken subsequently afterward later on down line eventually ultimately finally concluding altogether completely entirely fully wholly absolutely positively surely certainly definitely conclusively decisively unequivocally indubitably undeniably unarguably incontrovertibly irrefutably incontestably indisputably unmistakably invariably inevitably infallibly unfailingly faultlessly flawlessly immaculately impeccably pristinely purely perfectly precisely accurately exactly correctly appropriately suitably fittingly justifiably rightly reasonably logically sensibly sanely rationally judiciously prudently wisely sagaciously shrewdly astutely intelligently cleverly adroitly deftly nimbly dexterously skillfully proficiently competently adeptly expertly masterfully consummately excellently superb splendid marvelous wonderful fantastic 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