PITTSTON — City council members approved an ordinance to open bids for the Sullivan Park Rehabilitation Project at their monthly meeting Wednesday.
The opening of the bids is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 29 and will be awarded later that week.
Former city mayor Mike Lombardo said internal demolition will cost about $500,000, will begin in about two weeks and will consist of city workers and volunteers.
“We have a crew put together,” he said.
The council members were awarded a $250,000 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Grant last December towards the project. They’ve recently received $225,000 from Fidelity Bank and another $40,000 of in-kind services to match the DCNR Grant.
Work being done at Sullivan Park includes constructing a second basketball court, installing security cameras, installing a picnic area, fixing dugouts and improving one of the two Little League fields.
City Administrator Joe Moskovitz said bids for the project will be awarded at the September council meeting.
City officials estimate the project will be completed next summer, depending on the weather, and Lombardo is already looking for ways to get residents to it upon completion.
“One of the cool things about the project being finished is that it will give us three full basketball courts that are outdoors,” he said. “We’re talking with the Greater Pittston YMCA about doing a huge 3-on-3 tournament in the fall that maybe we’ll us as a fundraiser.”
Columbus coming home
After eight months, Moskovitz announced the Christopher Columbus statue will return to the city on Tuesday, Aug. 15.
The statue was knocked over last December when the granite base was struck by a driver.
Th statue will be returned to its original spot at the intersection of Kennedy Boulevard and Main Street, but will be raised over 20 inches to avoid another potential catastrophe.
“It’s going to be bigger and better than ever,” said Lombardo.
In other business, the council members:
• Approved the temporary closing of Spring Street between Tomato Festival Drive and Market Street for the annual Oktoberfest celebration.
