WILMINGTON — Wilmington City Council could decide the future of the North Waterfront Park tonight when it considers awarding Hargreaves Jones Landscape Architecture a contract to design the proposed park.
In March, the City Council approved a $20 million plan for the park as part of the city’s $38 million park bond project.
The design company, Hargreaves Jones was selected after 15 firms responded to a request for qualifications advertisement – of the 15, six were selected for interviews. If the agreement is approved by City Council, it will authorize nearly $3 million to be spent by Hargreaves Jones for design work.
A breakdown of service fees include personnel rates which list Hargreaves at $450 per hour, Jones $425 per hour, McMillian $375 per hour, “principal” $200-$300 per hour, “associate” $100-$200 per hour, and “staff” $50-$150 per hour.
The planned park will consist of 6.63 acres that integrates a performance venue. This would be following the North Waterfront Park Development Master Plan, according to city documents.
As previously reported by Port City Daily, parking and crime were two of the biggest concerns about the proposed recreation area, but, according to the plan, “there are several potential redevelopment sites that could provide public parking for the park and the district as a whole.”
The item is on the City Council’s agenda for its meeting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Michael Praats can be reached via email at Michael.p@localvoicemedia.com
