If it ever stops raining

It’s official, 2018 was the wettest since the late 19^th century for this part of the world. The widespread dampness caused all sorts of aggravation from grass growing faster than it could be cut, tiny streams morphing into dangerous torrents, and seas of mud mocking construction schedules.

At its January 2 meeting, the Goochland Board of Supervisors received a report on county construction projects from Derek Stamey, Deputy County Administrator for Operations. He said that every county construction project has been negatively impacted by the wet weather.

Work on the new animal shelter, just off of Fairground Road near the central convenience center, is finally under roof but is only 62 percent complete, which, according to Stamey, makes it 71 days behind schedule.

The new animal shelter is under roof but well behind schedule.

"I’m not going to sugar coat this project at all,” Stamey told the supervisors. “Liquidated damages are currently being implemented on the general contractor. We have been in contact with the surety company and are meeting weekly with the general contractor to expedite this.”  (Liquidated damages are a sum of money specified in a construction contract that one party can recover if the other party breaches part of the contract.)

Ground was broken for the new animal shelter in the summer of 2017, with the expectation that it would be open for business in fall, 2018; completion is now hoped for May 2019, according to Stamey.  In the meantime, the animal shelter operates out of space at the Central High School Cultural and Educational Complex.

Phase 2 of the expansion of parking at the county administration building has also been mired, literally, in mud since it began. In addition to supplying 25 more parking spaces at the administration complex, the building which housed the extension office will be renovated for use by the General Registrar with a handicapped accessible entrance. The Extension Office will relocate to new quarters, almost complete, at the Central High School Cultural and Educational Complex.  Stamey contended that, while it seems nothing is going on at the parking site, required storm water management is underground and it’s hard to move mud. Stamey said that 40 percent of the days since this project began have been wet. The county is working with the contractor for a spring 2019 completion.

Muddy conditions hamper construction for new parking.

The vacated registrar’s office and the entire “522” wing of the admin building will be reworked to expand offices of the Treasurer and Commissioner of the Revenue. Stamey hopes this work will be under contract by summer and completed by fall but cannot start until the registrar is moved.

On a more positive note, Medicaid expansion required additional space for Social Services, which was accomplished by converting a storage closet to an office. Renovations for the Assessor and Information Technology departments in the administration building have been completed.

No, that’s not a catering tent outside the front door of the Circuit Courthouse, it is a temporary security screening area. A more permanent 1300 square foot structure, compliant with the Americans for Disability Act access, is out for bid. Stamey expects that it will be completed between August and October of 2019.

Paving of the parking lot at the Central High School Educational and Cultural Center was also delayed by rain and further complicated by the November onset of cold weather, which closed local asphalt plants early. Lighting and other touches to the outside of that building will be completed as soon as humanly possible, Stamey said.

Leake’s Mill Park is now complete. The volunteer mountain bike group, whose work created, at no cost to the county, nine miles of trails and expects to complete a few minor projects soon, if it ever stops raining. County Administrator John. Budesky said that Goochland is becoming a regional destination for this sport thanks to the Mountain Bike Team and school partners. Board chair Manuel Alverez, District 2, commended the volunteers who built the Leake’s Mill Park enhancements and opined that this makes Goochland great location for a bike store.

Thanks to volunteers and the Mountain Bike team, Leake's Mill Park, this is a common sight there.

A bridge to connect both parts of Tucker Park below the 522 bridge has been designed and will be put out to bid in the spring. Construction is expected to take between three and four months.

County dog parks are still in the discussion stage Stamey said that volunteer groups like Pet Lovers will be engaged.

 The East End trail initiative to create recreational opportunities along county utility rights of way and obtain easements from adjacent property owners is underway. A two hundred-thousand-dollar grant with a 20 percent local match was awarded to the county by VDOT for leg 1, which runs from the HCA West Creek facility and meanders in the general direction of Rt.6. It will connect multiple sites including HCA, the Bristol apartments, and Hardywood Park brewery. This is still in the early stages with the County Attorney’s Office engaged in the details.

Improvements to the Hidden Rock Park fields are ongoing with support from GYAA, including approximately $30,000 from community sources, to cover and light the batting cages. Stamey said these improvements will make that park one of a few in the region with those amenities. In 2019 and 2020, Goochland will host the regional and state championships. The county does provide some support these tournaments. Note to Economic development, this is a great opportunity to engage local businesses, which, in turn, could increase sales.

The Centerville streetscape will be expanded with additional grant-funded trees. The Oilville Park and Ride is working its way through design and easement issues.

New gateway signs to replace the dreadful brown markers of yore are also in the works. An architectural firm has been retained to develop concepts, which will be presented for citizen feedback. The design costs are about $20k out of the $150K budgeted for the project. The ultimate design will be something that the county can easily replicate for installation at other locations around the county. Stamey said that the county will build as many signs as possible with the reminder of the funds appropriated. Sign locations will be prioritized.

Matthews Park, said Stamey, is having a higher rate of visitation than anticipated. A volunteer group headed by Calvin Hopkins provides clean-up.

Other ongoing projects include upgrade of HVAC units, which should produce greater efficiency and ongoing cost savings from fewer repairs, but exact metrics are not yet available.