Small Town News

City hopes for labor, material donations to aid in Railroad Park improvements

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While the Willcox City Council is hoping for donated materials and labor, it nonetheless voted unanimously to spend more than $65,000 on improvements to Railroad Park.

City Manager Pat McCourt reminded the council that on March 17, 2008, the city received a $75,000 donation from Union Pacific Railroad for use with Railroad Park.

The four stated purposes were public restrooms in the park; medians at two grade crossings in the city; renovation of the city's Mascot and Western private car; and revision of the drainage patterns near the railroad, he said in his Aug. 17 letter to council.

There have been a series of stakeholder meetings to receive input on the use of the funds, said McCourt.

The stakeholders wished to use the funds on seven projects, which are listed here in order of priority:

Electrical improvements in Railroad Park, $7,196.33;

Increase the height and paint the gazebo, $8,000;

Place a drinking fountain in Railroad Park, $1,000;

Perform repairs to the Mascot and Western Rail-car including construction of a ramp and viewing area, $47,000;

Construct a small play area (equipment to be donated by Stephen Klump), $2,000;

Mascot shade structure to protect railcar, $42,000; and Duplicate fencing on east side of tracks, $8,000.

There were also discussions on alternate ways to provide the fencing and whether the park should be extended to the north (fronting on Railroad Avenue), rather than to the east on the other side of the tracks with frontage on Railview, Maley, and Stewart, he said.

The stakeholders felt the city should address the first five items, and pursue an Arizona State Centennial Grant for the sixth one - the Mascot shade structure, McCourt added.

During the course of the meetings, McCourt spoke with Patrick Hal-stead with Union Pacific, who "indicated in all likelihood Union Pacific would also be receptive to expansion of the park under certain conditions to ensure safety (like a fence between the tracks and the park area), he said.

"We have enough money to complete items one through five," McCourt told the council at its Aug. 17 meeting.

"We are ready to get going immediately."

In response to Council-woman Monika Cron-berg's question about a projected timeline, McCourt said, "There are some items we can do very quickly, and some (such as the expansion concept) would take more time to pursue."

"Mr. Halsted also indicated that the Union Pacific would be willing to provide technical support for the city establishing a 'quiet zone' at Maley and Stewart crossings," he said.

"Under federal rules, this is a 'both or neither' situation due to the proximity of the crossings."

The cost to the city for the first five items on the list is estimated to be $65,236.33, though "these are only estimates," said McCourt, adding, "the actual cost may be higher or lower based upon bids and donated materials and labor."

He said that any expenditure of remaining funds would be brought to the council for authorization.

"I'd like to see some bidding take place and look for contractors to reduce some of these costs," said Vice Mayor Larry Schultz.

Mayor Sam Lindsey added his own comment, saying, "I'd like to see a little arm twisting to get volunteer labor or donated product."

Willcox resident Jose Pacheco, who was in the audience that evening, offered to donate his services as a licensed contractor.



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© 2009 Arizona Range News Willcox, Arizona. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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