Deputy City Manager Dustin Dowdy recently updated the Bainbridge City Council on the progress of several special projects being worked on this summer.

Dowdy, who recently resigned from the city to pursue a radio career, updated the Council at its July 15 meeting. The major projects include: the renovation of City Hall at 101 S. Broad Street; the Lake Douglas East sewer expansion project; and preparation for a planned riverside walkway.

Riverwalk awaiting permitting

City officials are still awaiting final approval of an environmental assessment related to its planned riverwalk.

The assessment, which followed approval of the initial project design, was completed and submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in February, Dowdy said. The Corps of Engineers leases the Boat Basin, Hatcher Road and Cheney Griffin Park — all of which the river walk will connect — to the city government.

Dowdy said Corps planners had given informal approval of the environmental assessment, but later came back with a list of questions. City officials addressed those issues and are now awaiting a final response before construction can begin.

The trail could be used by people walking, running or using a non-motorized vehicle such as a bicycle. Benches, light fixtures and fishing piers would be placed along the trail, Dowdy said.

City Hall renovation

The demolition of the interior of City Hall began March 26, with all of the building’s asbestos removed by April 24.

In May, non-structural demolition continued and re-framing began.

In June, the plumbing roughing-in continued and has kept pace with framing work, Dowdy said. Roughing-in essentially means to lay out the basic electrical and plumbing lines without making the final connections.

The majority of the work in June consisted of re-hanging and decking floor joists throughout the three buildings which will make up the new City Hall.

In July, contractors focused on the west side of the Kwilecki Building, removing and replacing termite-damaged wood and leveling the floor. Light-gauge interior framing began throughout the the project. Workers also laid out, excavated and formed exterior footings for the new unified building.

The MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing) roughing-in also continued in July.
Dowdy said the estimated completion date for the City Hall renovation is currently July 29, 2013.

Lake Douglas East project

The City of Bainbridge’s Lake Douglas East sewer project is continuing to make progress towards a completion date of either November or December, Dowdy said.
Compaction tests on Twin Lakes Drive were recently completed and pressure tests were ongoing.

Popco has been making steady progress in the easement between Leggette Drive and Woodridge Drive. The area has been especially wet with intense ground water from recent rainfalls.

On July 12, Popco resumed excavation of Ashton Way. That means traffic on the road will be restricted to one lane while work is ongoing.

“We anticipate this construction to limit access until the crews reach the intersection of Ashton Way and Bridgeton Way, at which point there will be less restriction,” Dowdy said.

From July 15, Dowdy said it would take three weeks to a month before work on Ashton Way and the easement between Legette Drive and Woodridge Drive was complete.
The next phase of the project will likely involve Legette Drive, Back Lake Circle and Lake Douglas Road.

“We hope to be able to do the construction on Lake Douglas Road in a way that affects motorists and residents as little as possible,” Dowdy said.

Helen Street Park

Dowdy said the Helen Street Park was recently renovated. Its swing set was moved and refurbished. New mulch, benches and trash cans were put in. The park’s basketball courts were paved and new goals were put in. The parking lot was paved and there is now a fence around the park.

After recently renovating the College Street Park, city officials have applied for federal funding to go toward a proposed renovation of the playground in the Earle May Boat Basin.