Officials on Tuesday said the City’s projects are moving forward appropriately, with the most notable development being that interior design work for the indoor sports complex should be finished by July.
The latest city projects list shows that a design team has been addressing the interior details for the sports facility layout. The 88,000-square-foot building is set to have space for five basketball courts, a turf field for futsal, and batting practice activities.
The City also reports they are focusing efforts making sure there is an overall flow throughout the building. They are working on the entryway layout, ticketing, concession, storage and officials’ areas.
The construction is set to begin in January 2024 after the project is bid out in December 2023. Construction is still expected to be finished in July 2025.
The building of the indoor sports facility was approved in December 2022 and is budgeted for a total ticket price of $18 million. It will be built behind the future Riverfront Brio downtown — taking up the block between 4th and 5th streets and Cedar and Locust Streets.
Addressing another project, the City plans to complete the York Ditch Stormwater Project in May 2024. They are currently accepting bids for the construction.
The stormwater project has been in conversation for the past year to improve the drainage systems in the York neighborhood area. As previously reported, the project will specifically address drainage in the following streets:
- North Stratford Drive
- South Stratford Drive
- Harlan Avenue
- Bittel Road
- Ellis Avenue
- Griffith Avenue
The current ditch is slated to be widened to 8 feet all the way from its start to North York Street. From North York, it will be widened to 22 feet.
In addition to the drainage fixes, the City plans to turn a plot of land on the west side of Carter Road into a 3-acre detention basin that will attract the water during rainfall and remain dry during normal weather conditions.
Another project the City is currently working on is renovating Moneta Sleet Jr. Park, with work expected to be completed by the fall. The Parks and Recreation Department began working on the park in August 2022.
A 16×16-foot pavilion was installed recently. The department has also continued to install the goals and place the concrete for a half-basketball court.
The City is additionally working toward adding lighting to the park’s perimeter with the assistance of Owensboro Municipal Utilities. At the same time, they are still looking to replace the swings and playground equipment, moves that will take place in Fiscal Year 23-24.
