Highland Heights Gazebo Costs Exceed Budget

Site work for the proposed gazebo in is estimated to cost $46,000, putting the total cost of the project about $31,000 over the $50,000 budgeted by City Council.

Council discussed the gazebo Tuesday night at a meeting of the Committee of the Whole. The $46,000 cost is for drainage, the concrete pad for the gazebo and a walkway to the parking lot.

Then there's still the cost of the gazebo itself, which Service Director Thom Evans estimated to be about $35,000.

"It looks like we need an additional $30,000 if you want to do it this year," Councilwoman Cathy Murphy said.

Council has made the gazebo a priority, partly because Highland Heights Lions Club plans to contribute to the cost in honor of the organization's 50th anniversary this year.

The gazebo is planned to be the centerpiece of the green space project on property just west of city hall. A playground and community gardens have also been discussed, but plans are to hold off on any additional features at the site because of cost.

If council finds money in the budget and seeks bids on the gazebo project, Evans prepared alternates that can be added if the city has the money. Bench seating, additional drainage work and a sidewalk to Highland Road were suggested as alternates to include in the bid package.

Council members would also like a rain garden, but the expense appears to have that idea set aside at the moment.

"We like rain gardens, but they're not inexpensive and there's a lot of work to them," Council President Scott Mills said.