Nov 04, 2007 - 04:06:07 CST
The Bismarck Park Board has some big plans but they probably won't include a property tax increase.The park board's strategic plan identifies several capital projects that the district is moving forward with as staff prioritizes projects and researches funding sources.
An increase in property taxes is not in the equation, board president Mark Zimmerman said. Funding is expected from various avenues. Special assessments, district fees-charges, donations-contributions, city sales tax through a betterment package and the city's hotel-restaurant tax are all possibilities.
"We've (the board) been adamant that we won't raise property taxes," Zimmerman said. "And it's important for people to know that these projects are not all going to be done in the summer of 2008. We're developing a definitive list, which will be prioritized. We're not going to be dealing with generalities."
A recent special meeting of the park board provided the public with details on several of the proposed projects. The board passed a motion having staff provide a priorities list and funding plans at the Nov. 19 meeting of the board.
The projects as outlined by the district include:
n An expansion of the south Cottonwood Recreation Complex.
The district would initially develop 45 acres to the south of the existing complex, which would include developing infrastructure, grading and irrigation. Development would then include six softball diamonds, a baseball field, parking for 430 cars, two combination restrooms-concessions stands, five shelters, two playgrounds and a building housing waterworks.
There is also the possibility of purchasing 15 additional acres, which will add four more softball fields.
Cost of the entire project is put at about $4.1 million and would increase the size of the complex, which caters to softball and soccer, to nearly 200 acres.
Roger Weigel, representing the city's men's softball association, made a strong case for the extra softball fields in a sport that is showing steady growth, defying nationwide trends.
The softball association is offering to contribute $200,000 to the project in $40,000 installments over five years.
n The district's Pebble Creek-Stein property, located in northeast Bismarck, is being considered for an estimated $4.5 million in improvements, including a golf driving range, a small parking lot, four youth baseball fields and a full-size baseball field.
The first phase includes a street, water-sewer, paving, the grading of the four Babe Ruth baseball fields, and grading and lighting of the driving range. This would cost $2 million.
Phase two, approximately $900,000, involves development of the baseball fields with irrigation and seeding, paving a parking lot along with pedestrian trail and road extension.
Alternate improvements, put at $1,250,000, include grading and irrigation of a baseball field adjacent to the Shiloh school property, along with concessions, storage, restrooms, backstop, bleachers and playground.
A total of about 50 acres would be developed. The entire project would take about two years.
Baseball user groups have indicated they may be able to raise an amount similar to the men's softball association.
n Hillside Pool-Lions Park was originally suggested as the site for an indoor aquatic center, which would replace the aging facility while the park got a facelift.
But public opposition, along with an opportunity to locate an indoor facility on the Bismarck State College campus, changed the park district's proposal.
Architect Bill Ellig, of REH Architects, provided two proposals. A larger outdoor pool with play equipment and new building to replace the existing facility, or a downsized pool with another outdoor pool to be built at the New Generations Park in northwest Bismarck.
The Hillside pool does not meet today's standards and the adjacent waterslide has gone far beyond its life expectancy, Ellig said. The pool's major deficiencies include draining into the city's storm sewer, which is illegal; the water basin is not level and is moving with almost a 2-inch difference from the north side to the south; and there is no gutter system.
Ellig recommends removing the water slide, replacing the existing building with a new, smaller version and building a new pool. A large pool with high-end play equipment will cost about $3.8 million.
A second proposal would build a smaller pool with the high end play equipment at $3.5 million and build a pool at New Generations for about $3 million. Remodeling of Lions Park is estimated at $2 million.
n Public surveys show that an indoor aquatic center should be the park district's top priority. An opportunity is developing that the park district could partner with Bismarck State College to build an aquatic center-wellness center on the campus.
Earlier this year, the park district entered into discussions with a private, non-profit group led by businessman Dennis Kemmesat, which would build an indoor facility at Hillside, then lease back the facility to the park district until it was paid off. Steve Neu, park district director, said that a facility at BSC will cost in the neighborhood of $7 million, and Kemmesat's group is still interested in participating.
The park district's vision includes more than just the pool, with improvements to the Community Bowl, trail system and even the addition of a park to the campus.
Neu said some issues had to be worked out, such as the city's reservation for a future road on the campus' west side; redevelopment of a joint powers agreement; and a lease with the city, which would allow the district to take Canary Avenue to pavement.
The park district would build the pool facility, leaving room for the addition of a wellness center to be constructed by BSC.
n The VFW Sport Center project is basically a replacement of the bleachers and main seating, estimated at $400,000. The district would also develop a press box area for the media and videotaping. The project would provide up to 1,400 seats for the VFW.
n The High Prairie Arts and Science Complex has been successful beyond anyone's expectations, Neu said.
The groups that use the facility recently gathered and began developing a long range plan that involved a discussion on the facility's greatest needs, Neu said. The organizations are developing five goals to move forward on, including expansion of space and having full-time staffing.
Funding opportunities that staff will consider as they develop a presentation on the projects for the board's Nov. 19 meeting will include the district's property tax base; the creation of a districtwide improvement district raising funding through special assessments; and what opportunities the district could have to sell bonds against other revenues, such as donations.
Other outside revenues could include involvement in a betterment package funded by the city sales tax and perhaps funds from the Bismarck hospitality and restaurant tax.
The district has been part of past betterment packages and Neu said he feels these have provided the greatest advantages in project development and are the most economical to develop projects.
"By using bond sales or an improvement district, the repayment is over a longer period of time, and you have the interest cost added in. It's the most expensive way to do it," Neu said.
The park district also is hiring a consultant to review the district's fees and charges. It will determine what the market can bear, Neu said.
Zimmerman said he thinks the indoor aquatic center should be the district's top priority, and Neu said that this is borne out through the surveys conducted by the district. The surveys were not only conducted of Bismarck residents, but of the rural areas in Burleigh County. The indoor aquatic center was the No. 1 requested facility. Others included a multipurpose facility, more open space, parks, play areas and trails.
"In the surveys we've taken the past 20 years, the indoor pool has ranked No. 1 or close to No. 1. I think we now have the opportunity to have that happen," Neu said.
All the projects will have a great return to the community, providing much more than just the groups that will use them, Neu said.
(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)
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