The new Great Bend Justice Center is on track to be completed in just over a month, and bids were submitted for the planned improvements to the south end of Brit Spaugh Park, Interim City Administrator Logan Burns said, updating the City Council Monday night.
• As for the center at 12th and Baker streets, “taping and finishing is approximately 90% complete right now,” he said. “The first coat of paint has been applied to the walls and then the finishes are scheduled to be completed on Aug. 15.”
Currently, interior millwork (woodwork that includes such things as doors, panels, molding and trim) is being installed and much of the information technology networking is done, he said. “Site work is continuing and then utilities will be installed in the next few weeks, and new curb and guttering is in place on the south and east sides.”
The building will house the Police Station and Municipal Court. Burns said Sheetrock installation has started in the court-side of the center, and will soon move to the police side.
Ground was broken for the nearly $9 million, 20,000-square-foot facility on Sept. 12, 2022.
Great Bend voters in November 2021 approved a 0.10% sales tax to help fund the new facility. The city is also tapping about $1.5 million set aside for the project.
The cost came to $8,883,273, which exceeded the available revenues. To cover the difference, the city will use COVID-19 relief Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) funds, insurance proceeds, and interest from federal COVID relief American Rescue Plan Act payments.
Wichita construction firm McCown Gordon is the project manager. GLMV Architecture of Wichita was selected as the architect.
• With Brit Spaugh Park, the deadline for requests for proposals for the project design services was last Friday, and four RFPs were submitted and opened, Burns said. “So I will have that to you as an agenda item for your consideration at the next meeting” on July 17.
The bids were released June 6.
This is the $2 million project to rejuvenate the park, of which the city’s portion is about $742,000. The project is being undertaken in cooperation with the Great Bend Recreation Commission, which pledged $345,700 for playground equipment.
Included in this effort are bleachers, shade structures, outdoor basketball and pickleball courts, a playground, mini-soccer pitches and restrooms. The horseshoe pits will be moved and the small baseball field across from Park Elementary School will be eliminated.
The city has already approved the creation of construction drawings, which came with a $100,000 price tag.
This is part of the 10-year Quality of Life Master Plans funded by the .15% Quality of Life sales tax approved by voters in November 2021. The city is also taking private donations for the effort.
