Title
Resolution Authorizing Contract in the Amount of $1,000,000 with Greensboro United Soccer Association for the Bryan Park Soccer Complex Expansion Project
Body
Department: Parks and Recreation
Council District: 2
Public Hearing: N/A
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Wade Walcutt, Parks and Recreation Director, 336-373-2964
Contact 2 and Phone: Phil Fleischmann, Community Recreation Services Division Manager, 336-373-3275
PURPOSE:
The Parks and Recreation Department seeks to further enhance its public-private contractual partnership with the Greensboro United Soccer Association (GUSA) to expand and improve the Bryan Park Soccer Complex. With an investment of $1,000,000 in bond funds toward a total project cost of $4,500,000, the City’s return on investment is estimated to be $13,000,000-$18,000,000.
To proceed with the project, a resolution authorizing the City Manager and staff to enter into negotiations and execute a contract is requested for approval from Council. The contract authorizes GUSA to manage the project under the City’s MWBE and contract bidding policies and procedures. Upon GUSA achieving agreed upon construction guidelines and milestones, the City will pay GUSA up to $1,000,000 per the terms and conditions of the contract.
BACKGROUND:
Consistent with the City’s goal of creating an environment to promote economic development opportunities and maintaining its reputation as “Tournament Town”, the Parks and Recreation Department is striving to maintain and enhance its appeal providing destinations for sporting events. Improvements are needed at the Bryan Park Soccer Complex in order for the facility to remain competitive in attracting regional and national soccer tournaments. The current annual economic impact of the complex is $20,000,000; however, this is lower than in years’ past. This number is expected to continue to remain stagnant or decrease as the current field dimensions and infrastructure within the complex make it ineligible to host national tournaments.
The proposed improvements included in this project include five new fields and reconfiguration of the existing fields. The project planning thus far has focused on two driving factors:
1) A conceptual plan for complex enhancements - Improved drainage for the fields; adding five fields, two of which will be synthetic turf fields, and related infrastructure; creating additional parking; and enhancing overall traffic flow within the complex;
2) Creating opportunities for dialogue to understand neighbors / resident interests to implement in the conceptual plan - Over the past couple of months, staff and representatives of GUSA have communicated with several residents regarding the project. A community conversation was held on August 5, 2015 to further investigate the interests of nearby residents, listen to feedback, and establish plans for reducing the impacts of events at the site.
At its work session on July 16, 2015, Council received a presentation about the scope of the proposed expansion project, unanimously indicated its support, and directed the Parks and Recreation Department to bring the proposed Bryan Park Soccer Complex site conceptual plan to the Parks and Recreation Commission for consideration. At its August 12, 2015 meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously voted in support of the project and of the Bryan Park Soccer Complex conceptual plan. On September 15, 2015 Council approved the budget adjustment reallocating funds to the Bryan Park Soccer Complex project. This item was referred to Council by the General Government and Community Services Committees.
BUDGET IMPACT:
The total project cost is $4,500,000. The City would invest approximately 22% of the cost ($1,000,000) to secure a potential return on investment of approximately $13,000,000 - $18,000,000.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
It is recommended that City Council authorize the City Manager and staff to enter into negotiations and execute a contract with GUSA in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 based on terms and conditions of the contract.