The effort to restore the historic wooden grandstand at Gardner Memorial Park in Newport City is moving forward, with state regulators now considering a floodplain permit. Public comments on the project's floodplain designation are due by July 24.
The city has secured $500,000 in congressionally directed spending and a $100,000 grant from the Vermont Preservation Trust, but no federal money has been drawn yet. Mayor Rick Ufford-Chase said the reimbursement funding triggers federal environmental reviews under the Environmental Protection Agency, including brownfields mitigation and floodplain compliance.
"At the point where we took the five hundred thousand dollars of Congressionally directed spending, it triggers a whole bunch of things that have to happen from a federal perspective," Ufford-Chase said. The city has been working with the Northeastern Vermont Development Association on mitigation efforts.
The mayor said Phase II EPA testing, on-site soil sampling, is nearing completion. Once all requirements are known, the city can seek cost estimates. "My guess is, it's going to cost more than five hundred thousand dollars," Ufford-Chase added. He expects answers within six to nine months.
The grandstand is one of two remaining wooden grandstands in Vermont, according to the mayor. A volunteer group has been working with the city on the rehabilitation for several years.
NEK will be looking into the final cost estimate and whether the $500,000 in federal funds will cover the project.
Photo: Mike van Schoonderwalt via Pexels. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
Log in as a subscriber to comment, or become a member.