Following an executive session at Tuesday’s meeting, the Brownwood City Council unanimously awarded a bid in the amount of $3,113,912.06 to Sullivan Contracting for improvements to Riverside Park.

Three bids were presented for the renovation project, which will include demolition and removal of the existing roadway, new lighting on the boundary of the roadway, a reconstructed pavilion, new entrance signage, fencing around the playground, as well as landscaping and sidwalk improvements.

Council directed staff to explore base bids plus the landscaping around the entry, the parking and the pavilion. The base bid was $2,907,839.96, the additionals were $206,072.10 for the $3,113,912.06.

The following was proposed for funding for Riverside Park:

The Council’s allocation for American Rescue Plan Act funding in the amount of $1,666,890.

The BMDD park allotment of $250,000 – which was approved later in the meeting.

ARPA’s interested generated through American Rescue Plan funds as well as Council’s park priority funds in the amount of $500,000.

“The funding for the project is pretty much going to come from ARPA funds as well as the MDD,” Mayor Stephen Haynes told those in attendance. “It will be a great addition and the roads in Riverside are in desparate need of repair. Rare is the opportunity we’ll have again to be able to do something like this, so now is the time.”

In addition the project, the Council awarded up $70,000 in additional inspections and material testing and engineering through a contract amendment with the existing engineer for the project, EHT out of Abilene.

“Riverside Park is one of the prettiest parks we have in Brownwood, we just haven’t had the money,” said Council Member Ed McMillan. “We’re fortunate to have the ARPA funds to do this. This is a great opportunity.”