Byline: David Tewes
Dec. 13--It appears the rising cost of construction materials will push the price tag for Victoria's youth sports complex over budget even before the first spade of dirt is turned, but officials said the project is still a go. Doug Cochran, the city's director of parks and recreation, told the city council Tuesday it looks like the total project will cost about $10.3 million. That compares to an earlier estimate of $8.4 million. 'Concrete costs in the last year have increased 50 percent in our market,' Cochran said. 'The cost of a lot of construction projects has increased in the last year.' But Mayor Pro Tem Lewis Neitsch said the rising cost shouldn't have an immediate impact on the project, which includes building the baseball and softball fields near the Gary T. Moses Municipal Swimming Pool. 'We're probably going to have to make some adjustments when we get into the latter stages,' he said. 'You have to remember the first guesstimates were done 14 months ago or somewhere around there.' Neitsch said the adjustments might include such things as reducing the amount of paved parking from between 500 and 800 to between 450 and 500. He said those paved spaces could be added later when the money becomes available.
The project is being divided into different components for bidding purposes. Cochran said the first bids were opened Monday for construction of the ball fields, including grass, irrigation system, fences and lighting. The apparent low base bid is $4.5 million from Krueger Construction Co. of Victoria. The only other bid is for $4.68 million from K&T Construction of Victoria. Cochran said the Victoria Sales Tax Development Corp. board will meet in the Council Chamber at 10 a.m. Thursday to consider selecting one of the two contractors. The board will also consider issuing $8.4 million in bonds approved by voters in May to help pay for the sportsplex. Assistant City Manager Charmelle Garrett said the city is looking for ways to make up the difference between the income from the bonds and the anticipated total cost of $10.3 million. In other business, the council heard a staff report on the possibility of establishing 'quiet zones' to silence the loud train whistles in some sections of Victoria. Train engineers are required to blow their whistles at crossings to warn approaching motorists. They are not required to blow the whistles in quiet zones, although they may if there is a safety issue. The council took no action, but asked the staff to put together more detailed information. Those numbers will be considered in the spring when the council looks at the need for money for other large projects. Mayor Will Armstrong said he wanted a detailed cost estimate for establishing a quiet zone along Main Street from near Tropical Acres nearly to downtown Victoria. He also wanted an estimate for a quiet zone along Moody Street from downtown toward the coal plant in Goliad County and along Port Lavaca Drive. 'I still have an open mind, but I'm definitely leaning toward getting all the facts together before we make a decision,' Armstrong said. 'The quiet zones would be a quality of life issue and would be a good investment if train traffic increases.' Neitsch said he thinks the quiet zones are worth considering. 'Let's look at our options and get some feedback from our constituents,' he said. Neitsch said he thinks there are places that quiet zones could be established that are not among the proposals presented to the council. David Tewes is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6515 or dtewes@vicad.com, or comment on this story at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.
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