Update: Pier C Park Still Scheduled To Open in July

Although Pier C Park still looks the same as it did weeks ago, Environmental Services Director Jennifer Wenson Maier said on Thursday afternoon that the contractor and the project manager have assured her that the park will open by July 1. Just in time for fireworks on the Fourth of July.

Maier corresponded about the park's progress recently with project manager Mark Pattin from Lanscape Architecture firm Michael van Valkenburgh Associates. 

Pattin outlined the delays to Maier in an e-mail on Tuesday May 18. Pattin wrote that he spoke to Joe Branco, owner of contracting firm EIC Associates, Inc, the firm that's in charge of the project. 

Branco did not return multiple phone calls and messages. 

"The handrail is the longest lead time item," Pattin wrote to Maier. Guardrails and railing lighting will be installed in time, he wrote, but the corner and end panels which are currently missing may not be ready on time.

"They are still looking at the option of temporary infill panels for these locations," wrote Pattin. "They were slow in getting all of the necessary dimensions to the fabricator for these locations."

A replacement waterline has been ordered, but will not arrive until mid-June, according to Pattin's e-mail. 

Pattin wrote in the e-mail that the contractors have been slow to send the electrician, the plumber and the window installers back to the site, but wrote also that he's been ensured that the park will be ready in time. 

Another unforeseen problem which has been causing the delay is the material of some of the playground equipment. A metal climbing dome and the bottom part of a long slide on the Park become too hot in the sunshine. The solution: installing sun canopies to prevent the material from becoming overheated and thus injuring those children who use the equipment.  

About this issue, Pattin wrote: "play equip(ment)manufcturer has porvided details for modification of the bridge. We will review and this work should be completed within the next few weeks."

Maier and Mayor Dawn Zimmer both said a few weeks ago, that it's still uncertain who will pay the bills for the play equipment problem. 

Maier and Pattin will meet next week on site to discuss the developments.