What’s happening?
Concrete repairs and trip hazards in Roanoke parks will be addressed by ASI Concrete with a contract not to exceed $150,000. This contract was approved by council March 25 and will begin in a few weeks, Roanoke Director of Parks and Recreation Ray McDonald said.
The agreement with ASI Concrete has an option for renewal in fiscal year 2026, which will allow the service to continue progress with all the Roanoke parks and along trails that are located east of US 377, he added.
In addition, progress is being made on a connection trail at Cannon Parkway Park, which includes undergoing a topographical survey, subsurface utility engineering, tree survey, flood study and easement legal descriptions. While a few of these steps have been completed, much of it is expected to start in early April to May, McDonald said.
The design phase for this project is anticipated to begin summer 2026 which will involve coordination with the railroad. Bidding services and construction are expected to begin winter 2026.
The backstory
Roanoke City Council approved an agreement with LJA Engineering for landscape architecture and engineering services to include the utility, railroad and right-of-way coordination, trail design, permitting when needed and bidding for construction of the Cannon Parkway Park trail connection during its Feb. 25 meeting.
These services will cost the city $323,450, but the trail permits and right-of-way coordination services may not be needed, saving the city $111,550 and bringing the overall project cost to $231,900, according to city documents.
The plans initially included a sidewalk trail connecting the skate park to Byron Nelson Boulevard but those plans fell through due to complications getting right-of-way with the property owner, Parks and Recreation Board Member Jonathan Ackmann said.
