Title
Update; Construction of Phase I of the Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park
Requested Action
Project Update Only
Recommendation
Project Update Only
Description/History
The Mansfield Park Facilities Development Corporation (MPFDC) purchased a 60-acre tract in January, 2004, to serve as a community park and a major trail-head and connection for the continuation of the Walnut Creek Linear Park trail system. The MPFDC allocated funds in the FY2010-2011 budget to begin the design of the new community park. Land Design Partners was selected to complete the Master Plan phase of the project. That phase included data gathering and site research, site analysis and documentation, visioning sessions, benchmarking, program development, concept development, preliminary master plan and concept design, and culminated with the final master plan. The master plan was approved by the MPFDC and City Council in August of 2011. The MPFDC held a work session with Dunaway Associates, lead by Philip Neeley, in October, 2011, to determine the scope of services for phase 1 construction of the new community park on Matlock Road. It was decided that Phase 1 will include a neighborhood park, a nature park, and a section of the green-belt trail with a trail head and terminus. Dunaway and Associates worked on the design and construction documents for Phase 1 through 2012.
In September 2012, City Council and MPFDC decided that the best construction delivery method for this project was Construction Manager at Risk. The request for qualifications process helped to determine the best value construction manager at risk for this project. Dean Construction was awarded the Construction Manager at Risk Contract by the MPFDC and City Council in January 2013. After approval, Dean Construction worked closely with Dunaway to finalize construction plans and bid out the project. After review of all bids, Dean Construction submitted a Guaranteed Maximum Price for construction of the new Community Park which was approved by the MPFDC and City Council in February 2013.
March - Construction contracts have been reviewed and signed by city staff. After the ground breaking ceremony which is scheduled for March 21st, Dean Construction will begin demolition, clearing and grading work throughout the site. Surveying on the site is currently underway.
April - Dean Construction has begun construction. Silt fencing and tree protection were installed in late March. The asbestos survey, abatement and house demo are complete. Most of the Log House pieces were salvaged and are currently being stored for future use. Dean has begun rough grading for the neighborhood park amenities. Staff continues to working with Dunaway on field changes due to onsite conditions during construction.
May - Dean Construction is currently working on grading through the neighborhood park portion of the site. The restroom building slab and right-of-way improvements are scheduled to begin during the month of May. Staff continues to work with Dunaway on approving submittals and field changes.
June - Construction has rapidly picked up pace on the site. The street improvements are nearly complete. Utilities are being installed; the sanitary sewer line is in and has been connected to Matlock Road. The restroom building slab has been poured and construction of the walls will begin upon arrival of the glazed block. The bridge piers and abutments are complete and ready for the bridge to be installed. Estimated arrival of the bridge is scheduled for late June. Piers have been installed for the tree house over look and steel has been delivered to the site. Piers have been drilled for the rocky ford overlook. Preliminary electrical layouts have been approved and a contract with Oncor to remove existing poles on the site has been executed. Staff continues to work with Dunaway on approving submittals and field changes.
July - Oncor has started removing the old, electrical equipment from the site. On June 27th the rebuilt windmill was reinstalled. The wing walls and columns near the bridge were poured prior to the bridge arriving in late June. The bridge was installed on June 28th and work has continued around it to finish the walks and wing walls. The entry approach is being widened and repoured. Also, improvements to the median were completed by the addition of pavers in the median nose. Utility work is continuing on the site throughout the month. The rocky ford abutments have been completed and welding work has continued on the treehouse structure. Work has also begun on the overlook pier at the front pond.
August - Through the end of July and into August work has continued on the restroom and treehouse structures. The walls of the restroom are up and the stone exterior is mostly complete. The roof is being framed and should be complete by the end of the month. The treehouse structure is close to completion and the handrail fabrication has begun. After both of these steps are complete, decking will be installed on the structure. Stone work has started on the bridge abutments and columns. Retaining wall footings have been poured and stone work has begun to form the walls. Trail clearing has also started for the nature trails.
September - The retaining walls throughout the site are mostly complete. Significant progress has been made on construction of the treehouse structure. The handrails and decking are nearly complete. The restroom building has been completely framed and the roof is currently under construction. The plumbing fixtures are currently being installed and painting is underway. Improvements to the Rocky Ford overlook are about 90% complete. The decking is complete and the handrails are nearly completed. A portion of the spine trail has been poured and the next section is being framed for concrete. The soft surface trails on the site are being cleared, packed and prepped for decomposed granite. The masonry work on the bridge has been completed.
October - The final retaining walls throughout the site are being completed. The treehouse structure is complete but staff is working on some field adjustments with the structural architect. The restroom building is nearing completion and work on the outside plaza area should begin in the next couple of weeks. The spine trail section is complete and the contractor has been working on the soft surface trails. Staff has worked with the contractor to resolve some field grading issues. The park received some much needed rain and the ponds are filling up with assistance from the new well on site. The piers are being drilled for the floodplain boardwalk and building materials are scheduled to be delivered this month. The site electrical is under construction and staff is working with Oncor to finalize the necessary paperwork. The composting toilet is currently being constructed and should be complete by the end of the month.
November - Parking lot concrete has begun as well at the plaza paving. The custom wheel stops are being poured on site to be installed on the new gravel parking areas. The boardwalk is being completed as well as the composting restroom. The amphitheater grading and construction have also begun this month.
January, 2014 - The contractor is finishing out the project with lots of small details being finalized for the grand opening on January 25th. All of the concrete and decomposed granite trails are complete. The site furniture has been installed as well as the concrete parking lot. The two maintenance buildings have been installed and the final rock work is being completed. The site lighting has been installed and the electrical is being finished out. The monument entry sign is complete and the site signage will be installed soon. The landscape and irrigation is also in the final stages and parks staff will be busy these final weeks dressing up the park for grand opening.
February - The Grand Opening for Oliver Nature Park was held on January 25th. The contractor has completed the last of the punch list items. Staff requested a few finishing items of the contractor but those items will be complete by the end of the month.
Justification
The MPFDC allocated funds for the construction of the new community park in the current year's budget. City Staff, Dean Construction, and Dunaway will work together through the next year to complete construction of the new community park.
Funding Source
1/2 cent sales tax
Prepared By
Hillary Bueker, Park Planner, Community Services
817-804-5788