Bel Air's Plumtree Park will be getting new equipment for one of its two playgrounds and some other upgrades, according to town officials.
The park, which covers about a square block just west of downtown, has received considerable attention from the town government in recent years, most prominently the removal of Plumtree Run from an underground culvert, a stream "daylighting" project completed late last year that has really changed the park's overall appearance.
During Tuesday's town commissioners work session, Planning Director Kevin Small said the new playground equipment on the lower end of the park closest to downtown will be installed in the next two weeks.
In addition, the commissioners are expected to approve a contract at Monday's town meeting for new edging, benches and tables around the two playgrounds.
Small explained the new edging and benches will be made from a decorative concrete product that looks like stone, called StoneMakers. The sole source supplier in this area is Akehurst Landscaping, he said. The price of the contract is $29,700.
Small said the new playground equipment, which will cost around $58,000, is "age appropriate." The equipment at the playground in the upper end of the park was just replaced a few years ago.
Phase 2 of Armory project
Also on the agenda for Monday's town meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, will be a review of a design/build proposal for the next phase of the Armory Marketplace project, the conversion of the garages behind the Bel Air Reckord Armory into incubator spaces for small businesses.
Phase 2 of the project involves engineering and some utilities work, Economic Development Director Trish Heidenreich explained. Phase I, completed in 2010-11, involved the development of a feasibility study. At the time, town officials were trying to decide whether to tear down the 1950s era, block garages or use them for something other than storage.
"This next phase will involve some construction," Heidenreich said during Tuesday's work session. "There will be some rough-in of utilities, basic stuff, possibly some demolition of parts of the floors." In all, she said, the project will involve four phases.
The town has been using grant funds to pay for the Armory Marketplace project. In November, the town received a $175,000 State of Maryland Community Legacy Program grant for the project.
Also on the agenda for Monday's town meeting is the receipt of the Bel Air Planning Commission's annual report, which is prepared and submitted in accordance with state law. A resolution also will be introduced to make some minor adjustments in the town's fee schedule.