Opening of Uptown Field at 1600 Park Further Delayed

Before the field at 1600 Park can open, a $20,000 additional study has to be done after "unexpected debris" was found at the site, according to City Spokesman Juan Melli.

The contractor also found "unexpected debris, organics, and softer than expected soil conditions based on previous analysis and testing."

The city further announced that, "to ensure the appropriate foundations are used, a more detailed and deeper geotechnical investigation is needed. Borings will be drilled to approximately 75 feet and testing will be conducted on soils. The City Council will be asked to approve the additional testing at the Council meeting on Wednesday, April 17."

Earlier this spring, the city announced that the field would be ready to open by late April.

This testing is being done out of an abundance of caution so we can understand any potential long-term impacts on the park due to settlement of the soil,” Mayor Dawn Zimmer said in a press release. “Even short delays are disappointing, but I would rather get this park done right than to have to make expensive repairs in a few years. Very soon, our community will have a great new park with a multi-use field, rest rooms, dog run, and slide hill.”

A prior delay of the opening of the park occured in 2011, when Zimmer said that without a traffic signal at the intersection at 16th and Park. The traffic signal has been installed meanwhile.

The delay will be at least another month.