Nearly $20 million worth of Wildwood city construction projects are continuing despite the Coronavirus crisis.
The city’s new $7-million police headquarters is scheduled to open by mid-summer. Other projects include the Oxford water treatment plant, renovation of the former North Sumter Primary School and improvements at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
Commissioners received status reports Monday on these projects and approved a budget amendment that provides some funds. The meeting was held by phone with commissioners in separate rooms at city hall due to the virus.
At the police headquarters on the southwest corner of U.S. 301 and County Road 462 West, electrical conduit and lighting boxes will be installed this week. Curbs and walkways are expected to be completed next week. Next month, construction crews will work through punch lists to complete or correct outstanding items. Final inspections are slated for mid-May.
The $7.6-million Oxford water treatment plant is substantially completed and the contractor is working through a punch list of outstanding items. Final completion is expected in early June.
Equipment also is being installed at the Oxford lift station, which is part of the wastewater treatment system.
Nearly $2 million in improvements are under way at Martin Luther King Jr. Park on the city’s west side under contract with Daly and Zilch.
Renovation is proceeding on the former North Sumter Primary School, acquired last year by the city. The $2.5-million project includes $218,000 in roof repairs. The project includes interior and exterior upgrades, as well as site improvements.
Mayor Ed Wolf suggested that the city hall annex project could be placed on hold due to the Coronavirus. The city received project bids that were considered too high.
“The bids might be completely different if the economy starts to come back,” he said.
Commissioners also approved a budget amendment that accounts for unexpected expenses and projects carried over from the prior year.
The amendment allocates $385,000 to cover a cost difference for the Martin Luther King Jr. Park project, $200,000 in loan proceeds for the city hall annex, $92,000 for city hall roof repairs, $60,000 for a pavement management program and $29,200 for the city web site project.
In other business, commissioners approved zoning and a comprehensive plan amendment for the Wildwood Lifestyle Hotel, planned along State Road 44 near County Road 44A. The hotel is in the early planning stages, but is expected to have about 200 rooms.
