Public to discuss Lafayette Park plans

Sun May 18 2008
Posted May 18, 2008
6,344

By TIM JAMISON, Courier Staff Writer WATERLOO --- Plans for a $500,000 makeover of Lafayette Park will be up for public comment this week. Waterloo City Council members are scheduled to hold a public hearing and open construction bids Monday on planned improvements at the park, which is located on the corner of Lafayette and Vinton streets near the former Rath Packing Co. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. and has been moved from City Hall to Veterans Memorial Hall, 655 Cedar St., just on the west side of the Fifth Street bridge crossing the Cedar River. Lafayette Park, affectionately known as Pat's Pond after former mayor L.A. "Pat" Touchae because of its history as a stormwater retention area, has been waiting for its renovation while the city worked for nearly five years to iron out details of the federal Brownfield Economic Development Initiative grant being used to pay for the project. Now, the grant must be utilized by September or the city will lose the money. Proposed park improvements include resurfacing the existing tennis and basketball courts; constructing a concrete trail around the perimeter of the park; building a 40-foot gazebo-style shelter; a large playground area; and a baseball backstop. Lighting along the trail is being bid as an alternate because it could push the price above the grant amount. Other scheduled council business includes: A public hearing on plans to extend the Donald Street recreational trail. The proposed trail will connect existing trails on the levee system near Tibbitts Park to an existing recreational trail at the intersection of U.S. Highway 63 and Donald street. The Iowa Department of Transportation is expected to open the construction bids following the council's hearing and authorization. A public hearing and bid opening on the city's plans to demolish several blighted buildings using general obligation bond revenue. The properties include houses at 126 N. Barclay St., 132 Sumner St., 120 Argyle St., 123 Argyle St. and 133 Argyle St., and a garage at 710 Randolph St. Committee meetings, also slated to be held in Veterans Memorial Hall, include: Board and Commissions, 4:50 p.m.; Public Works, 4:55 p.m.; and Finance, 5 p.m. Contact Tim Jamison at (319) 291-1577 or tim.jamison@wcfcourier.com