Barkley said that eight construction firms had submitted requests for qualifications which MetroParks officials narrowed to three firms that will submit requests for proposals that will be due by Feb. 6. The companies which attended a pre-proposal meeting last week are Conger Construction Group, Megen Construction and Turnbull-Wahlert, she said.
The $1 million fieldhouse project at the Voice of America Athletic Complex is being constructed in collaboration with UC Health’s West Chester Hospital. Officials said the new fieldhouse will feature restrooms, a concession area, a storage area for equipment, and trainer’s rooms. West Chester Hospital has committed to contribute over 12 years the capital dollars as well as value-added services.
Barkley said the project is expected to be completed by late October/early November.
At Monday’s meeting, the park commissioners approved a memorandum of support for the Miami to Miami Trail and coalition as well as approving financial support of $7,500 if the coalition shows support from other organizations.
“A priority of the board is connectivity between communities through trails and the economic development of this connectivity,” Barkley said.
The proposed bike/recreation trail would link the approximately 86.2-mile Great Miami River Recreation Trail with the 73-mile Little Miami Scenic Trail.
In a related matter, the park commissioners also approved support for the federal designation, similar to how U.S. and interstate highways are designated, for U.S. Bike Route 25.
For the past several months, the Ohio Department of Transportation has requested support from local governments and agencies to support the federal route designation for a north/south bicycle corridor that would link Louisville, Ky. through to Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo to Detroit, Mich.
The proposed designated route would would use the Great Miami River trail that goes through Butler County. It would be one of four future U.S. Bike Routes in Ohio and would link states and metropolitan areas. One of those trails would be the Little Miami River Scenic Bike Trail that goes through Warren County would become U.S. Bike Route 21, which would link Louisville and link with Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland.
In other business, the board of park commissioners also selected its 2017 officers — Cynamon T. Trokhan will serve as president; Gregory T. Amend will serve as vice president of the three-member board that also includes Edward L. Dwyer.
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