City plans for its future

The Edmond City Council discussed priorities this week for both the 2019-20 year and the Five Year Financial Plan. Assistant City Manager Steve Commons updated the status of prioritized task force recommendations for funding projects.

“Our next big project is the widening of Covell Parkway to four lanes from Fairfax to Griffin. It will go out to bid some time this calendar year,” Commons said.

The estimated construction cost is $6,865,674. This project will be totally funded by the city.

Construction will involve left turn lanes set at all side streets. Roadway construction is anticipated to begin in the fall, according to the city.

Bid documents are under preparation for improvements at Caplinger Baseball Fields at Hafer Park. The public wants nicer facilities with shade, better concession and restroom facilities.

The city is responding to retain Edmond’s competitive edge among communities. Better facilities will also attract visitors to Edmond and contribute to city sales tax revenue.

“Common areas where people can wait between games. Those are all the kind of things you’ll see when we give you the final plans on the Caplinger Ball Fields â€" the same thing when we get the final plans on the soccer complex.”

Completion of Edmond Tennis Center at 601 W. 15th Street is expected during the early summer 2020. The City of Edmond and Edmond Public Schools are splitting the $15.1 million cost for the project.

The city’s tennis capacity will increase from the 11 indoor courts and three indoor courts at the KickingBird Tennis Center, to 24 outdoor and six indoor at the Tennis Center, Mayor Elizabeth Waner said. Additional indoor courts will be added during Phase 2 at an unspecified date.

Downtown revitalization includes the near completion of the downtown drainage project and increased parking stalls. Projects also are in the works for streetscaping the 1934 historic Stephenson Park with pedestrian friendly venues and other improvements, Commons said.

The city is aware of its need to acquire large parcels of land for additional parks. Another location is needed for a second splash pad. Commons said the challenge is finding a second use/water use for conservation purposes.

The city has also been working on a railroad Quiet Zone that would be constructed throughout the BNSF rail lined in Edmond. Quiet Zones are meant to diminish disruptive noise from passing trains. 

“Quiet Zone is a big project. But I want to point out that is for the whole community. It’s not just about downtown,” Commons said. 

City Manager Larry Stevens said the city recently received the cost estimates from the railroad that it has needed for 15 months.

“Our people are now moving forward with their review, so is our consultant for this project which is CTS,” Stevens said. “They are also checking the information, and once the numbers have been verified and the consultant agrees that everything is included, we will present a recommendation to you.”

Additionally, Commons said the joint performing arts center project between the city and the University of Central Oklahoma has been delayed.

“It has not necessarily gone away or anything. It is just not the right time for them to pursue it. For us, we’ve got our plate fairly full for projects,” Commons said. “We basically have postponed its consideration for a few years to get a little bit further down the road with the tax.”

Neither is there a timeline set for a downtown parking garage, Commons said. And discussions for a new library have been postponed because of a directorship change at the library. The city plans to meet with the new director for continued conversations.

A project to make Citylink bus stops more accessible is being done with the addition of new benches, but additional work has been required on this project, as well.

Commons said, “I don’t think we realized how many new sidewalks needed to be repaired so people could get good, safe access to those.”