Bradenton approves $77,226 fix for erosion problems at Riverwalk skate park

BRADENTON -- A project to fix erosion issues around the Riverwalk skate park's "bowl" area atop a manmade hill will move forward after Bradenton City Council approved a $77,226 contract with DeLesine Construction Inc. of Palmetto on Thursday

Bid packets were sent to six contractors in September with only two responding. The only other bidder was Oneco Concrete & Asphalt, which bid $172,800.

DeLesine's bid came in under earlier estimates when the city last spring first noticed the potential for serious consequences to the skate park should erosion not be addressed. Due to the park location near the Manatee River, constructing the bowl underground was not

an option unless the hill was built. The city opted to use fill from the old "sand pile," a storage area used after the Manatee River was dredged several years ago.

After the park's construction, city-designed landscaping on the side of the hill was supposed to prevent erosion.

According to Claude Tankersley, public works director, the issue is twofold.

Tankersley said the city used "an aggressive soil" unsuitable for landscaping because water would not percolate into the ground. Instead, the water runs directly off the soil.

Also, the city did not anticipate the amount of foot and bicycle traffic going up and down the hill to gain access to the top of the bowl.

The result left the soil around the bowl devoid of landscaping, causing further erosion and a growing concern water could be getting underneath the bowl, which could cause structural issues much more expensive to fix than the current project. A recent inspection found the skate park still structurally sound.

The solution is to construct a 5-foot wide concrete landing area around the skate park bowl as well as two new concrete terraced seat walls similar to those at the Riverwalk amphitheater.

According to Jim McLellan, engineering section manager, the contractor is being notified of the approved bid and will submit a construction timetable soon. McLellan said once construction begins, any skate park closures should be isolated to the bowl. The city will pay for construction out of park enhancement funds.

City officials refer to the skate park as the jewel of Riverwalk. Tankersley said the project will stem erosion and enhance the park by providing an additional area for skaters and visitors to socialize.

Mark Young, Herald urban affairs reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041 or follow him on Twitter @urbanmark2014.

This story was originally published October 16, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Bradenton approves $77,226 fix for erosion problems at Riverwalk skate park ."