The North Judson Redevelopment Commission members opened bids Monday night for the proposed park project at the Town Park at the corner of George and Weninger Streets.
The Town of North Judson was awarded a Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in 2023 in the amount of $500,000 to make park improvements.
The commission members received bids in late 2023 and decided to rebid the project to see if any other contractors would bid the project. The Redevelopment Commission received only one bid in the second round of bids opened Monday from Brown and Brown General Contractors, Inc. in Wakarusa which totaled $899,000 in a lump sum base bid price. There were several deduct alternates.
The Redevelopment Commission will be meeting Friday, February 23 at 8 a.m. CT at the North Judson Town Hall to make a final decision concerning the bid and what aspects to potentially leave out of the project to incorporate in the future. It is anticipated that a notice to proceed is March 6 with substantial completion by October 9 of this year.
In respect to details of the project, Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe previously said the old playground equipment will be torn out, but moved toward the northern end of the park. A zip line feature is anticipated along with new slides, and a cliff rider and climbing feature.
Equipment will also be ADA accessible. There will also be a natural playground and a pergola.
Rowe said sidewalks will also be a major player in this update as they focus on ADA accessibility.
Two pickleball courts, a shelter, and beach volleyball are also proposed in this project closer to the ball diamonds. The basketball court will be resurfaced along with the addition of more sidewalks. Permanent cornhole boards will be installed, as well as a half-mile walking trail around the outer edge of the park.
Rowe previously noted that the $500,000 grant, plus a grant match from the North Judson Redevelopment Commission and funding support from the Starke County Commissioners and Council will help rebuild the park.
