Union is looking to create a new city building and public park that will be the community’s next “town square.”
At a caucus meeting on Monday, June 18, the Union City Commission discussed four different versions of the Union Town Square project, as well as the estimated cost for each version. The costs ranged from approximately $14.4 million at the high end to $11 million at the low end. The cost of the new city building is factored into the total amount for the project.
Union Town Square would be constructed on a 22-acre plot of land sandwiched in between US-42 and Old Union Road. The land, which is owned by the City of Union, is bordered by Brilliance Avenue to the north.
Union is collaborating with architecture firm Summit Engineering and MKSK Studios on the design of the park. Last November, the Union City Commission accepted MKSK’s $20,850 bid to prepare a master plan for the project.
In terms of financing, Scott Noel, president of Summit Engineering, told the commission that his firm was looking to work within the budgetary constraints set by the city.
“We did some options and we can cut this cake 1,000 different ways and come up with 1,000 different numbers, but at the end of the day, we know what the master plan is, we know what the overall project is desired to be at the end so if there was a budget number that the commission arrived on, then we would approach the project according to priority,” Noel said.
The commission primarily debated the differences between two of the four proposed options.
Option A, the most expensive option at $14,440,544, features the most expansive range of amenities, including an event lawn, civic plaza, stage/pavilion, wet play area, multipurpose building, fitness area, walking trails and multiple picnic areas.
One of the commission’s sticking points was the potential inclusion of a multipurpose building, specifically related to the cost.
“I think the elephant in the room is a multipurpose building,” Mayor Larry Solomon said.
Commissioner Brian Garner said he was a fan of the proposed plan but felt that excluding the multi-purpose building could save the city money on the project.
“I mean, again, if we can get everything except for the multipurpose building, it takes a significant chunk out of the cost, or we can cut a bunch of other things out and save a little bit,” he said. “I don’t think with the multipurpose building we’re gonna get much bang for our buck.”
The primary difference between Option A and Option B is the inclusion of this building. While Option A is estimated to cost $14.4 million, Option B costs only $12.4 million.
Among the commission, Option B was the most popular design proposal because it retained all of the project’s significant amenities while subtracting the multipurpose building, saving Union money.
City Administrator Amy Safran explained that the next step is for Union to display the concept design for public review and comment during the Union Celebrates America festival on June 25 at Ryle High School. Summit Engineering will also be in attendance to assist with compiling feedback.
After that, the Union City Commission will reconvene at the next caucus meeting to discuss financing options.
“At our next caucus, we’ll figure out how to finance it and then move on,” Solomon said.