ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — More than 50 residents, community leaders, city and school officials turned out on Thursday, July 4 for a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony with the City of Robertsdale and Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce at the newly renovated pavilion at Honeybee Park.
The dedication ceremony, which included commemorative balloons and free ice cream, celebrated the completion of Phase 1 improvements to Honeybee Park, while the city is looking to the future of moving into Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the improvements, which should be completed by the city’s Centennial Celebration in 2021.
Robertsdale Mayor Charles Murphy recognized and thanked all of the council members who were in attendance for the dedication, while crediting the idea for the improvements to council member Sue Cooper.
“This is a project that has been about two years in the making,” Murphy said. “We are proud of all the work that has gone into the project and look forward to its completion for the city’s Centennial Celebration in 2021.
Phase 1 of the park improvements, designed by Adams Stewart Architecture LLC in Robertsdale, included the installation of new sidewalks, which increase booth space for the annual Honeybee Festival. Existing sidewalks which surround the park were also removed and replaced.
Brick columns surround the park, along with a brick entranceway at the south end of the park and the pavilion, which is located on the east side in the middle of the park. Additional improvements include landscaping, additional parking and restroom facilities.
The majority of the brickwork for the project was done by David Wilson Masonry Inc. of Summerdale.
At its meeting on Monday, July 1, Jason Shipp of Adams Stewart presented plans for Phase 2 of the park improvement project, which will include the removal and relocation of the city’s Utilities Barn.
A new Utilities Department facility is being planned for property the city owns which is located northeast of the city’s Police Department on North Chicago Street.
The facility will be built to withstand hurricane-force winds and is designed to house city employees and any who comes in to assist with storm cleanup and power restoration following a storm, Murphy said, which means it will also be equipped for use as a temporary shelter with housing, kitchen and shower facilities.
A public hearing was also held during the July 1 council meeting as part of a Community Development Block Grant which the city has applied for in order to help pay for the new Utilities Barn.
Murphy said the application process for the grant was started approximately two years ago and is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of this year.
Phase 3 of the park improvement project will be the construction of an amphitheater on the property where the Utilities Barn is currently located, featuring local entertainment, with additional parking and restroom facilities surrounding the structure.
