The $1.2 million Merchants Park improvement project is underway, and Carroll city officials have opted to keep light tower upkeep as part of the scheduled work. Parks and Recreation Director Chad Tiemeyer told the council during its meeting on Monday that the city could cut $110,000 from the total cost by removing plans to repaint the 75-year-old structures.
Tiemeyer adds the steel structures are in remarkably good shape for their age, and repainting them now would primarily be for cosmetic benefit. A fresh layer of paint would prevent additional rust from forming, but the towers’ structural integrity is not questioned at this point. Officials sought input from the Carroll Athletic Association, which has been the driving force behind the park’s improvements over the last decade. Association President Barry Bruner told the council the paint would tie the renovation project together nicely, but he doesn’t consider it a critical need yet.
Ward 2 Councilman Jason Atherton noted the towers will need to be painted sooner or later, and At-Large Councilman LaVern Dirkx says it makes sense to do it while contractors are on site. The council indicated they favored leaving the tower painting in the project. They did not need to take any formal action following the discussion, as the work was already included in the original contract.
