Council approves $1.9M contract to formalize parking at Martha Rivers Park

The Gastonia City Council voted unanimously Sept. 15 to award a $1,900,000 construction contract to Quinn Sales to expand and formalize parking at Martha Rivers Park.

Tucker (city staff), who presented the project, said the work will double the current number of parking spaces, add a second access to Veil Hawkins Road and create a connection to Riverwood Parkway to improve ingress and egress for large weekend tournaments. “This will formalize it and help flow within the park. Get people in. Get people out,” Tucker said during the presentation. Council members repeatedly described the existing conditions during baseball and soccer seasons as “chaotic” and cited safety concerns.

The project’s low bid of $1,900,000 came from seven bidders. Staff outlined funding sources in the memorandum: approximately $1.56 million from general/go bond proceeds and $379,000 from the stormwater fund. Council members asked about design features to slow traffic and protect pedestrians; staff said the scheme includes connection points and the option to add speed humps if needed. Councilman Glenn Silverman moved approval and the motion passed unanimously.

The contract award will allow staff to proceed with construction planning and coordination with the Parks Department. Council treated this as a formal action on the regular agenda after pulling the item from the consent agenda for discussion.