Red Mill access plans flow forward
The property is at the northwest corner of Turkey Creek and Concord Road.
“In August 2020, the Town received a 6.43-acre parcel that included Red Mill Spillway from an anonymous donor,” said Chris Sheffield, Town director of Public Services. “Turkey Creek runs through the property and was dammed to create a spillway. This scenic area is beautiful, but not easily accessible.”
He said construction will include a 10-space parking lot and a paved pathway leading to an overlook of the spillway.
“Six construction firms submitted bids,” Sheffield said. “Two were disqualified for not meeting specified requirements. GCE Construction was the low bid at $248,900.
“The overall project budget, including design, is $335,000,” he said. “Construction for the parking lot and pathway is projected to take 75 days from notice to proceed.”
Sheffield said Town staff recommended approval of the $248,900 contract with GCE Construction, along with a 5% contingency of $12,445 for potential change orders.
“Total project costs including design, construction and contingency are $323,045, an estimated $11,955 under budget,” Sheffield said.
Regarding flood risks, Sheffield said the project complies with all Town standards.
“Is this a good time of the year to start this project?” Vice Mayor Greg Wiberley asked, drawing some chuckles.
“Well, I would have to defer to the contractor,” Sheffield answered. “They bid on the project knowing the season they were in.”
“They looked at the calendar and understood the 45 days to proceed so I made the assumption that the contract was bid understanding the circumstances … asphalt or rain seasons coming up,” he added.
Road extension study
The Board also approved a grant contract with Knoxville-Knox County Planning for a feasibility study examining a potential extension of Municipal Center Drive to connect with the proposed Jamestowne Boulevard extension from Kingston Pike.
Town engineer Darryl Smith said the study would be funded through the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization using three funding sources, with total funding potentially reaching $126,000.
The Town’s share would be 15% of the Consolidated Planning Grant’s cost, according to Smith.
The proposed route could cross the Eddy Ford property. Smith said the property owner would have to be consulted before any action beyond the feasibility study could be taken.
In other action, the Board unanimously approved:
• On first reading, a transfer of $25,000 from the Capital Investment Program fund balance to CIP expenditures to cover construction, engineering and inspection services needed to complete the remaining work on the Broadband Infrastructure Project.
• On second reading, a transfer of $16,141,112 from the CIP available fund balance to CIP expenditures to carry forward previously approved funding for projects not completed by the end of the prior fiscal year.
• The purchase of a John Deere 4064 compact utility tractor and a John Deere 1575 front-deck mower for a total of $100,484.82.
