Gazebo Approved for Downtown Park
Hoping to transform Plaza Park into a town square, the City Council has approved a plan to erect a $250,000 grandstand at the downtown venue.
“We want to be able to better use the park for city recognition events, such as proclamations, speeches, any type of those traditional town-square events,” said Everett Millais, the city’s director of community services. The prefabricated structure, similar to one the park had until 1938, will also be available for private events.
When completed, the octagonal gazebo will be 26 feet tall and 36 feet across with a copper roof. The structure will be built on an elevated platform on the east side of the park, which is bordered by Thompson Boulevard and Fir, Chestnut and Santa Clara streets.
The gazebo will be about 30 feet from the Fir Street sidewalk to allow for better viewing of performances and more open space for seating.
Millais said the estimated cost of the project is $152,400 more than the $97,600 set by the council in 1994.
“I support the project, but it’s kind of gotten away from us,” Deputy Mayor Ray Di Guilio said at Monday’s council meeting. The seven-person council unanimously approved the project.
Deadline for bids is Nov. 24 and if a contractor is selected by the end of the year, the gazebo could be installed by summer, Millais said.
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