Politics & Government

Calkins Park Project Set To Come In Under Budget

Bid approved for improvements at New London Park

Work scheduled for Calkins Park this year could come in well under budget after the City Council approved a low bid on the project.

In a vote last week, the Council granted a bid for the work to Diversity Construction Group of Cheshire. Eighteen firms attended a mandatory pre-bid meeting on the Calkins Park project and seven took part in the bidding process.

Diversity Construction Group made a $539,800 bid for the project. Public Works Director Tim Hanser, along with Assistant Director of Engineering Services William J. Camosci and project engineer Elena M. Pascarella, recommended that the company be awarded the bid. Camosci also recommended $40,200 in contingency funds.

The initial estimate for the project was $750,000.

Improvements include expanding the number of soccer fields from three to four, putting in a high school regulation softball field, installing two portable bleachers, improving a .45-mile walkway, planting shade trees and wildflowers, renovations to a bathroom facility, exterior renovations to a building on Riverview Ave., and building a new stairway.

The largest expenses, according to the company’s bid, are $124,200 for walkway improvements and $109,000 for earthwork.

The park will not be usable during the construction period, which will run through most of this year. A reopening will take place in the spring of 2014.

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