Improvements to Hall Park in Benton Harbor are a step closer to happening now that the city commission has approved an engineering contract for the work. At a Monday meeting, they granted the contract to Abonmarche. Commissioner Mary Alice Adams questioned why Abonmarche is getting it and suggested finding another firm. However, as Commissioner Ron Singleton pointed out, Abonmarche was the only bidder.
“With everybody looking to see that park coming back and all the excitement and momentum with it, I sure would hate to see it get held up because some other folks didn’t want to go after the RFP,” Singleton said.
Mayor Marcus Muhammad said the funding has been awarded, and the city needs to get the work started.
“Let’s get this done,” Muhammad said. “We don’t need to delay it. I went through committee, Parks and Rec, and it’s time to move.”
The city was awarded a $958,000 state Spark grant for work at the park. The improvements will include upgrades to the landscaping, expanded basketball courts, seating, restored trails, parking lot work, and a walking trail. Mayor Pro Tem Duane Seats said the plans also need to take into consideration security so the work isn’t undone by vandals.
