HUNTINGTON BEACH : High Estimates Delay Park Plans

Plans to renovate Prince Park in Huntington Harbour were delayed this week after bids for the work by engineering companies were much higher than earlier estimates.

City officials say that they will now redesign the project and that renovation can start in midsummer and be completed by Thanksgiving.

Causing the sharpest increase over original cost estimates was a proposed concrete seawall along a waterway at Trinidad Island. To comply with residents’ wishes, the city had planned to imprint the name, Prince Park, in the wall.

The city’s architects had estimated that the wall would cost $5,830, but the low bid came in at $20,206. The architect had estimated a total cost of $33,300 for the entire park renovation project while a low bid of $59,404 was submitted.

Community Services Director Ron Hagan said officials will try to cut costs by taking concrete planters from other parts of the city and using them at the park in place of the seawall.

The half-acre Prince Park, one of four parks in Huntington Harbour, mainly offers grassy open space and play equipment for small children.

The council this week unanimously rejected bids and delayed construction.