Lake Friendswood will feature a fishing pier and dock for kayaks upon completion of the project.[/caption]
The construction contract for enhancements to Lake Friendswood went out for bid in June, officials said. The plans—which will add a trail and fishing pier—are one of several city projects that will mark significant milestones this summer.
Upon completion, a 2-mile concrete trail will encircle Lake Friendswood, said Patrick Donart, Friendswood public works director and city engineer. The project will include a dock for kayaks and a fishing pier. A covered pavilion with restrooms will be installed as well.
Donart said the city budgeted $1 million for the project. Construction is scheduled to begin in July with a target completion date of November.
A trail connecting Old City and Stevenson parks is nearing completion. A bridge was installed over Coward’s Creek on May 6, advancing plans for the trail. Donart said the trail will be finished in June or July.
All projected timelines are based on normal rain patterns. The last two years have produced a significant amount of rainfall that has affected several ongoing projects, Donart said.
“I would say [the rain] we’re having now is abnormal,” he said. “It’s more like last year.”
Donart said rain had the most effect on the city’s sports park projects. Rainfall, especially in the last quarter of 2015, delayed the installation of grass and other dirt work, he said.
Early renovations at the Friendswood Public Library were affected by rain, but with the remaining work inside the facility, city officials are planning for the project to be complete in August.
The $2.53 million improvements will add 6,000 square feet to the library. The project is about 78 percent complete, officials said.
The city also enhanced a stretch of South Friendswood Drive with a pair of projects. PRC Roofing Company completed the installation of a new roof at City Hall in May. The $175,689 project replaced the roof to eliminate water leaks, officials said.
Downtown beautification efforts have begun as well. Brick pavers, street lights and benches are being installed from Memorial Park approximately 1,040 feet to the corner of Shadwell Drive. Although the street lights and benches are not expected to be installed, Donart said the pavers are expected to be in place by early July.
“The contractor is making good time, with the goal to be complete before the July 4 holiday,” he said. “[Their] contractual time goes beyond that, but [they] are pushing to get done before that large event because of the large number of people that will be canvassing South Friendswood Drive.”
