TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) -
Phase one of a massive overhaul of Promenade Park is set to start right after the Fourth of July holiday. Before that work starts, two additional spending requests are now before Toledo City Council for consideration.
The mayor's office is asking council to approve $17,000 to extend a water line to the seasonal docks at the park, as well as $45,000 for engineering support services including design work for Promenade Park and other projects.
Toledo City Councilman D. Michael Collins is raising concerns.
"Why would you get a consultant after you appropriated over $2 million to this project?" said Collins.
Deputy Mayor Steve Herwat says city staffers need some help moving the project into future phases.
"This way we can bring in outside consultant to prepare grant applications, assist us preparing plans for projects such as Promenade Park," said Herwat.
Herwat also said dock improvements are needed to attract more boaters during the summer.
"One of the issues we hear from the boating community is we have docks but we do not have water or electricity," added the Deputy Mayor.
With council already committing $2.2 million for the overhaul, Collins is wondering how much taxpayer money will be in it when it's all said and done.
"Small expenditures lead to large expenditures when you look at the totality of the project. We're just stacking and stacking and stacking as if they had an unlimited checking account," Collins said Friday.
Phase one of the project will double the size of the park by creating a gradual step-down terrace effect from Summit Street to the riverfront.
"There will be a large amount of soil placed in the park in the configuration for the final design. We'll allow that soil to settle down over the winter months then come back in the Spring to finish that off," said Herwat.
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