BROOKINGS Skateboarders in Brookings can rejoice following City Council approval of a $315,000 project to renovate the Medary-Dwiggins Skatepark at Tuesday nights meeting.
Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director Kristin Zimmerman is optimistic that construction, which will be done by American Ramp Co. of Joplin, Missouri, will commence in fall with concrete and groundwork. She anticipates the project will wrap up this coming spring, but also said contractor availability plays a role in the overall timeline.
The renovation is also a creative partnership (with) the Brookings Public Arts Commission, Zimmerman said. Weve been collecting used skate decks that will be repurposed into custom park benches. A local artist is designing wraps for trash receptacles and drinking fountains, bringing functional art into this space, which is really kind of cool.
She pointed out that the current facility is more than 25 years old were having a hard time to actually figure out how old it is and that the city only committed funding during its construction before 2000, along with subsequent funds for general, ongoing maintenance.
It hasnt really ever seen an improvement of any kind since it was built, she said.
Zimmerman added that the project falls within budget, and that public participation via multiple meetings was a vital part in getting to this point in the replacement process.
As part of City Council questioning, Councilor Brianna Doran inquired about how accessibility and skill levels were included within the design of the new skatepark.
Part of the skatepark that youll find on the west side, it will incorporate the higher-level skateboarders, Zimmerman said. The east side (is) more of a street course, which will have more of the ramps and other things that are used for the more basic entry-level skateboard users.
The plan was approved on a 6-0 vote, with Councilor Holly Tilton Byrne absent, as part of the City Councils regular consent agenda.
Downtown parking
Looking to the future, councilors gave the green light, on a 6-0 vote, to approve a resolution to purchase land at 214 Front St. the former home of Dakota Service & Repair and directly south of the Brookings Police Department for a total cost of $1,317,305.
The actual funding mechanism, a budget amendment formally known as Ordinance 25-027, had its first reading following approval of the resolution, and will be acted on at the City Councils Aug. 12 meeting.
City Manager Paul Briseno said the City Councils Financial Policies Project Fund will serve as the source of the purchase money. The fund was created roughly six years ago and is used to save for onetime infrastructure or facility investments.
He noted the purchase will help continued downtown development and that parking is a key part of those efforts, per inputs from public engagement sessions.
Not only did the city hear from residents about the importance of parking, but we also know that adequate, free parking is critical to supporting the downtown businesses and events and long-term growth, Briseno said. Additional parking will also assist with future growth and redevelopment projects that emerge within the downtown from the (Downtown Brookings) Master Plan.
Before signing off on the resolution, Doran asked, For this to be developed into community parking, this would be free for the community, correct? Free parking?
Thats yet to be determined, Briseno said. The majority of it is the intent.
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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