Hope Mills’ commissioners will consider a proposal to begin the first phases of construction of Heritage Park at the board’s 7 p.m. meeting Monday at Town Hall.
Heritage Park
The town has found a bidder who will start construction on Heritage Park. Interim Town Manager Chancer McLaughlin is recommending the board approve a bid proposal from K&C Contractors and allow the town staff to negotiate the contract.
K&C Contractors, based in Red Springs, N.C., submitted a base bid proposal of $1,169,269 and a bid alternate proposal in the amount of $108,171 for a total bid of $1,227,440.
The board previously approved a $1,147,175 budget for Phase I of Heritage Park. McLaughlin is asking for a budget amendment in the amount of $645,625 to fund the construction, meet the town’s grant obligations, and implement a 10% contingency in the amount in case of unforeseen site conditions. Town staff is also recommending that $405,625 in federal ARPA funding be redirected from the Sports Complex project and reallocated to this project. The Sports Complex project is currently on hold and is being replaced with a proposed Hope Mills Senior Center and Gymnasium.
Heritage Park sits beside the Hope Mills Lake dam, which is located off Lakeview Road. Heritage Park has been in the works for well over a decade, the project was put on hold after the 2010 failure of Hope Mills Lake dam. In 2019, the park project was restarted and the town held a groundbreaking in October 2023. The plan for the over 7-acre site, according to a press release, includes a comfort/restroom station, nature trails, a kayak/canoe launch, interpretative signs, an open lawn space to allow for events, an outdoor classroom, shelters and parking.
Committee membership
In the last regular board meeting, Commissioner Elyse Craver proposed to temporarily remove the two-year reapplication requirement for those serving on town committees. Craver said she wanted to eliminate another hurdle for volunteers who want to serve on town committees.
According to the town’s Rules and Procedures, individuals in all positions determined by the board of commissioners shall serve two years.
Mayor Jessie Bellflowers plans to recommend removing the time limit. In an email to the town, he states that by removing the two-year language in the rule, he hopes more people will submit a one-time application for consideration and approval. He also states that people who are approved to serve on committees/commissions can continue to serve unless they resign.
Other business
The board will also be discussing the creation of a new Cultural Arts Committee. This committee would be made up of citizens, the town’s parks and recreation department and the town board of commissioners. The committee will be looking at increasing support for the town’s artistic and cultural community.
The board will also be making a proclamation in recognition of National Wear Red Day, which takes place on the first Friday in February. On National Wear Red Day, people are encouraged to wear red in recognition of heart disease awareness.
Mayor Jessie Bellflowers will be conducting a formal swearing-in of five Hope Mills police officers. He will also be recognizing two Hope Mills officer promotions.
The board will be discussing a petition request of 7.95 acres at 6905 Camden Road. The request was submitted on Jan. 10. If the board accepts the annexation, commissioners will then direct the town clerk to look into the sufficiency of the petition.
The board will also approve the statement of work from Witt O’Brien’s LLC on behalf of the North Carolina League of Municipalities. Witt O’Brien’s LLC will be helping Hope Mills find grants and apply for them to help benefit the town.
The interim town manager will be updating the board on local construction projects of commercial businesses and residential areas, as well as updates to other town projects.
Before hearing the interim town manager’s report, the board will go into a closed session, regarding attorney-client privilege and personnel matters.
Contact Hannah Lee at hannahleenews@gmail.com.
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