RIVERSIDE

The Riverside City Council approved a final payment of nearly $20,000 for work completed at the Hall Park Boat Ramp, during its September 3 formal session, and is moving ahead with other planned improvements at Hall Park.

While some of the work at Hall Park will likely take place over coming years, requiring capital improvement funds, City Manager Cole Smith told The News that more immediate improvements, including the installation of pickleball courts, could happen in the next year.

Another city project, the extension of Cherry Lane near Highland Elementary School, won’t take place until Summer 2025, which frees up capital improvement funds in the current fiscal year.

Improvements at the boat ramp, which included the installation of rocks on both sides of the ramp along with signage and the cleanup of brush and trees, had a final cost of $149,977. Final acceptance of the contracted and completed work by Bowker Pinnacle Mechanical of Cedar Rapids was approved by the City Council at its September 3 meeting. The addition of rocks cost more than $50,000.

Work on Phase I of Hall Park improvements was completed August 28, according to Iowa City-based Axiom Consultants, which oversaw the project.

The Council also approved a final payment of $19,352.01 to Bowker Pinnacle.

Top priorities for the next phase of work includes the addition of three pickleball courts, a new basketball court and improvements to the entertainment stage. Other plans call for an open-air shelter, a new surface in the playground area, additional parking and signage.

The pickleball courts may cost as much as $125,000. Axiom Consultants is currently working on designs and cost estimates.

Kirk ADA Birthplace

The City Council took similar actions with the James Kirk ADA Birthplace, which is located just south of City Hall on Greene Street: Bills were paid and designs are being finalized for an adjustment to the monument area.

The Council approved a final payment of $1,677.33 to All American Concrete of West Liberty for work already done on the project. The total cost of the project so far is $33,546.60.

However, more changes are coming.

The Kirk monument, which currently faces south, will be moved west in the landing area and placed to instead face east so that it is facing Greene Street and more easily viewed from the highway. The ADA ramp, which was already installed as a part of the project, will remain where it is, but the top of the landing area will be flattened just in front of the new area where the monument will be located.

The landing area now is tilted upward, which did not meet the satisfaction of several council members.

Axiom is working on final designs and estimated cost.

Community Center

Plans for a potential community center, which would be located near Highland Elementary, are still being discussed.

A work session is being planned for September 23 or 30. The time and date will be finalized during the Council’s September 16 meeting.

Council Action

The Council approved Axiom Consultants to move ahead with the plan to install stairs on Third Street between Washburn and Glasgow streets in order to help residents with better access to homes and sidewalks now that the Third Street sewer and water main project has been completed.

The City scheduled a fall clean-up day for 7 to 10 a.m. October 19.

Next board meeting: The City Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting is at 6 p.m. September 16.