Once was a cherished school building and now currently an eye sore, the City of Guthrie revealed a proposed plan for Banner Park on the town’s west side.
During the city council retreat on Thursday, City Manager Leroy Alsup showed a concept drawing of a handicap accessible playground, splash pad, walking and bicycling trails, pavilions, public restrooms, parking and a maintenance building.
The park would go on the land on W. Warner Ave. between 10th and 11th Street, or formerly known as the location of Banner School.
The design shows the playground equipment in the middle of the park, a splash pad to the southeast and a series of pavilions for picnic areas surrounding the property.
The property shows parking on both the east and west sides of the park.
The building on the east side of the property would be constructed to serve as a place to house equipment for the Parks Department.
On the southwest corner of the park would feature the Banner School monument, that once stood above the doorway welcoming students.
The City’s engineering group, Myers Engineering, shows a construction cost of $1,318,878.
The project, which was not given an exact time frame, would be expected to be funded by the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) sales tax.
Breaking down the cost, includes $375,000 for the maintenance and restroom building, $175,000 for the inclusive playground system with surfacing, $142,500 for the splash pad, $119,700 for the walking trail, $110,880 for parking, $70,000 for park pavilions, $60,000 for landscaping, $25,900 for sidewalks and $25,000 excavation of the land. Additional fees, include $82,500 for engineering services, $22,000 for survey and staking and $110,398 added in for contingencies.
The City took ownership of the old school building and land in 2015 after an agreement with prior owner Larry Ladd. Ladd turned the property over to the City, who then began demolishing the property.
In the early morning hours of May 9, 2014, the 79-year-old building was engulfed in flames and was later determined it was set on fire by juveniles.
OK, I got the trees figured, but what the heck are the starbursts supposed to be?
$1.32M for a park are you kidding me. The Elbow park is being developed just on the other side of Noble. Join forces don’t be foolish we can’t afford this.
This sounds like a more viable option and its in the neighborhood i dont think the elbow needs to be revamped at this moment maybe sometime later,
now the roads in town that should be looked at along with the development of a park could possibly include it as well. .
Is there an estimated open date for the park?
Mid summer, hopefully, 2018.