Council okays $915,420 Memorial Park design contract, repurposes ARPA/grant funds to meet spending deadlines

The Statesboro Mayor and City Council on June 16 authorized a contract with EMC Engineering Services, Inc. for design services for Memorial Park in the amount of $915,420. City staff said the award will use ARPA/state grant funds that the city is allowed to repurpose to meet expenditure deadlines.

City Manager (Mr. Penn) explained the Creek on the Blue Mile project has experienced delays and funders would not allow purchasing and storing fixtures; instead, the funder agreed that the city could change the use of funds to cover design work. "We can encumber and spend that $915,420 for design services through EMC and so we do recommend approval tonight," he said, while cautioning that some of the total grant package could still be at risk if not used or encumbered in time.

Council approved the contract by voice vote. Staff said the design contract will allow the city to move forward with the Memorial Park redesign while the larger Creek on the Blue Mile project is finalized and additional funding is pursued.