City councilman wants closer eye on park bids

The city should more closely scrutinize the bids for its future park projects to avoid another case of sticker shock, Gaffney City Councilman Tom Reid said.

Reid's comments were sparked by the bids for Gaffney Park Plaza, which came in well above the $175,000 preliminary cost estimate.

Sossamon Construction of Gaffney submitted the low bid of $284,700 to build the park, which will be located between the new city hall and fire department. Sossamon also submitted an alternate bid of $16,100 to construct a back fence and do landscape work near the fire department.

Council agreed last week to move forward with the project by a slim 4-3 margin.

Reid, who voted to build the park, said, "We are able to pay for the parks with the Hospitality Tax but we'll have to look at it a lot closer the next time. We have to scrutinize the bids from here on out."

The H-tax is a tax on prepared foods and beverages. Tax proceeds must be spent for tourism or recreational purposes.

The city still has several park projects on its bold todo list, including Irene Park and McCluney Park, as well as the completion of the passive park on Rutledge Street and College Drive.

The city also wants to transform the former Milliken manufacturing plant site into a 17-acre park.

Reid said he's still in favor of completing all of the park projects.