The California Department of Parks and Recreation has pushed back the grant announcements, expected by the end of October, to Dec. 21, according to Lake County Public Services Director Kim Clymire.
Clymire said the county is waiting to hear if it will receive millions in Proposition 84 Park Bond funds.
His department has applied for $2,636,000 for the proposed Middletown square; $3 million for trail development on Mt. Konocti; $3,125,000 for Nice's Hammond Avenue Park; $650,000 for Hinman Park in Nice; $600,000 for park development in the Clear Lake Riviera; $450,000 for trail development at the Rodman Slough; and $3,085,000 for development on Clarks Island in Clearlake Oaks.
Clymire said the county wants to move forward on the Middletown square project, which will be located on five parcels at 15771 Douglas St.; 21248, 21238 and 21268 Calistoga St.; and 21249 Washington Street in Middletown. The Board of Supervisors approved the purchase of the property for the park in October 2009, as Lake County News has reported.
The park will be located on Highway 29 in front of the new library and senior center buildings that are scheduled to be constructed next spring, Clymire said.
The $2.6 million the county is seeking for the project would include a reimbursement for the $500,000 purchase price, Clymire said. He said the total amount for the project depends on its ultimate buildout, an estimate for which isn't yet available.
If the county doesn't receive the funding, Clymire said he will have to resubmit a grant application for future funding and also ask the Board of Supervisors to allocate geothermal royalty funds in the 2011-12 budget.
However, there has been some concern from county officials about whether or not those funds will continue after one nearly successful attempt to take the funds away last year.
Without the grant, Clymire said he couldn't give an estimate of when the Middletown square would be built, because it would depend on funding.
If the county gets good news, however, his department will host a public meeting next January or February in order to make final design decisions, and get the project put out to bid and constructed as soon as possible.
Clymire said he has received 76 survey responses on the three plans for the Middletown square developed during previous public meetings.
The plans, drafted by volunteer architect David McMillian, can be viewed online at http://parks.co.lake.ca.us ; follow the link to “design plans.”
The public is encouraged to continue to submit comments, recommendations and suggestions regarding the draft plans, Clymire said.
He said designs for the other parks in development already have been finalized at previous workshops and meetings.
Clymire, who offered thanks to the community for assistance and interest in the Middletown square project, said the community can direct questions about the park to the Public Services Department at 707-262-1618.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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