Robertsdale progressing with Honeybee Park improvements

By John Underwood / john@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 2/4/19

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Improvements to Honeybee Park are progressing with plans to have the full project completed in time for the city’s Bicentennial Celebration, which is slated for …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Subscribe to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Get the gift of local news. All subscriptions 50% off for a limited time!

You can cancel anytime.
 

Please log in to continue

Log in

Robertsdale progressing with Honeybee Park improvements

Posted

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Improvements to Honeybee Park are progressing with plans to have the full project completed in time for the city’s Bicentennial Celebration, which is slated for 2021.

Jason Shipp with Adams Stewart Architects addressed officials at the Robertsdale City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 22.

Sidewalks, which surrounded the park, have been taken out throughout the park and progress is being made to install new sidewalks designed to increase booth space for the annual Honeybee Festival. Plans have been discussed to move the festival, which was traditionally held in October, to the first week of December to coincide with the city’s Christmas parade and Christmas In the Park.

The city has also proceeded with plans to close Michigan Street between East Chicago Street and Alabama 59 Northbound.

The Robertsdale City Council awarded bids totaling nearly $1 million at its meeting Nov. 5 for Phase 1 of the improvements. The council approved a bid of $949,500 for the project, along with $32,500 in administration fees and voted to exempt landscaping fees of $15,000.

Additional plans for park improvements include a pavilion to be located on the east side of the park, landscaping, additional parking and restroom facilities.

Mayor Charles Murphy said Adams Stewart has also presented a plan for the removal and relocation of the city’s Utilities Barn. The area will be used for an amphitheater which will feature local entertainment, with additional parking and restroom facilities surrounding the structure.

In other business Jan. 22, the council accepted a letter of credit for Phase 2 of the Ridgewood subdivision.

City Engineer Greg Smith addressed council members at the Jan. 22 meeting, stating that final plat approval for the project, which consists of 12 lots at the north end of Ridgewood Drive, was approved by the city’s Planning Commission on Sept. 24, subject to the developer providing and the council approving a financial guarantee of performance in the amount of 125 percent of the cost of the required improvements.

A section of the city’s Land Use Ordinance allows for final plat approval without all the required improvements being in place if the financial guarantee is provided, Smith said.

“This will allow them to go ahead and begin selling lots prior to the improvements being made,” Smith said.

The developer has submitted an irrevocable standby letter for credit form in the amount of $175,000 as a guarantee. The amount is based on the construction estimate provided by the developer from Bill Patterson Construction.

Also on Jan. 22, the council:

•Donated $500 to the Robertsdale High School tennis team for travel and other expenses.

•Granted an ABC License Approval Process for non-profits.

•Approved $450,000 in resurfacing costs from Asphalt Services Inc., which will include $65,000 for the resurfacing of the city’s bike and walking trail.

•Approved the rezoning of property on Michigan Street from R-3 (apartments) to M-U (multi-use) which will allow the property owner to run a home-business from the property which was not allowed under R-3 but would be allowed under M-U.

•Allowed the city to apply for grand funding to help pay for sewer system improvements.