City Council to vote on 5-year plan for city projects

According to an article on dailypress.com by Sabine Hirshauer, it seems that the Deep Creek Pier may be included in the City’s five-year plan.
——————————————-

Source: dailypress.com

By Sabine Hirshauer
12:11 PM EST, Jan. 21, 2008

NEWPORT NEWS – City Council is scheduled Tuesday night to vote on Newport News five-year plan for large city projects.

The plan, which includes projects scheduled from July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2013, will most likely include some money to rebuild the controversial Deep Creek pier.

It is also scheduled to include $10.5 million for a recreation center in north Newport News, $5.3 million for new fire station on Jefferson Avenue, $3.5 million for Economic Development projects, $2.8 million for city jail renovation, $1.15 million for PCB clean up at Seafood Industrial park and $1 million for Southeast Community redevelopment.

Letter from Director of Parks, Recreation & Toursim

The following is a letter from Michael Poplawski, Director – Parks, Recreation & Tourism. It addresses the demolition of Deep Creek Pier and the time frame for the work at Menchville Marina. Thank you to the person who inquired about these issues and acquired this response.
———————————————————————-

Mayor Frank asked that I respond to your e-mailed question about the demolition of the Deep Creek Pier on his behalf. As of today, the Pier is scheduled for demolition beginning February 15. While the work is expected to be completed in a week, the actual timeframe will depend on weather conditions and how easily the pilings are able to be pulled out.

The timeframe for the work at the Menchville Marina has not been set yet. The marine contractor (MMM Engineering) is currently working on construction specifications and, once they are finished (expected this month), we will schedule the actual work. Please bear in mind that this initial work at Menchville Marina will only involve replacing the deteriorated bulkhead and improving the grade of the adjacent parking area (where it sometimes floods during extremely high tides). The development of piers, docks and other mooring structures will come in the next phase–once we have had the opportunity to talk with the watermen and others who are using the facility. In this regard, I expect the first meeting with the watermen (and any other interested participants) to occur sometime in February. We have made it clear to our engineering consultant–and will make it clear to the contractor who is eventually employed to replace the bulkhead–that accommodations will need to be made to allow continued use of the site by watermen while construction work is being performed. In other words, we are planning to repair only part of the bulkhead at a time–which should allow boats to relocate to, and continue to use, those mooring areas that are not under construction.

I hope this helps answer your concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact me (email mpoplawski@nngov.com or phone 926-1400) if you have any other questions.

Sincerely,

Michael Poplawski

Director – Parks, Recreation & Tourism