By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – A local design firm will prepare to bid out a project to repair drainage issues at Alabaster’s Municipal Park in the coming weeks, as the City Council recently approved a bid to move forward on the project.

About a month ago, city crews discovered a portion of a 42-inch corrugated plastic drainage pipe near the Thompson Middle School side of the park had collapsed, blocking the flow of water and creating drainage issues under the park’s 3-acre field.

As a result, the city is looking to have the entire length of the 42-inch pipe replaced on the southern end of the park, and is looking to abandon an 18-inch drainage pipe running from the north side of the field to the south end of the field, as inspections discovered it was on the brink of failing as well.

After abandoning the 18-inch line, crews will re-route the drainage path along the north end of the field, and will place a new pedestrian path over the drainage canal.

During a June 3 meeting, the City Council approved a contract with Barge Design Solutions to prepare design and construction plans for the repair and replacement projects.

Through the contracts, the city will pay Barge $7,000 to prepare grading and drainage designs, $3,500 to prepare the project manual and bid preparation documents, $4,000 to assist with the bidding process and $6,000 to provide services during the construction phase.