“The park pool has been fully poured. That is the initial concrete coat,” Diaz-Guy said. “It will stay that way until spring when they come to do the final plaster and tile work. We hope to be under roof by the end of November for the new building and then all of the interior construction work.”

Phase 2 focuses primarily on the pool complex, including the main pool, the splash area and a wading pool. Diaz-Guy noted that while the project remains on schedule, residents should expect “sporadic closures” as crews complete work involving gas and sanitary lines before winter weather sets in.

Discussion is now shifting toward Phase 3 — a broad package that includes the playground, baseball field, brick pavilion, sidewalks, steps, asphalt and other site-work that will make the park fully accessible.

“We are in the final stages of that so that plan is in place,” Diaz-Guy said. “We are reviewing the budget right now and we are pretty happy with where we are.”

Progress on the new olympic-sized pool is advancing as Phase 2 of the $25 million overhaul to the village park is making strides. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

But he acknowledged Phase 3 is expected to exceed its budget. The project was originally scaled back earlier this year during a proposal by engineering firm Michael Baker, which recommended cuts to keep costs within the village’s $25 million cap.

Diaz-Guy said the village ultimately reinstated several suggested cuts, including keeping the full parking lot to support community events and expanding sidewalks for better access.

“We expected to be over budget on the Phase 3 portion by some amount,” he said. “We are pretty close to where we thought we would be.”

He anticipates the village may need to spend between $250,000 and $500,000 out of pocket to complete Phase 3, though he said that amount would come from interest generated by settlement funds — not from new taxpayer costs.

To reduce expenses, Diaz-Guy plans to recommend a “direct buy” of playground equipment through the state of Ohio’s bidding program, which would save an estimated 10% to 15% over purchasing it through the project contractor.

Progress on the new olympic-sized pool is advancing as Phase 2 of the $25 million overhaul to the village park is making strides. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

He is also reviewing the cost of the brick pavilion, saying he is “not substantially convinced that the amount of money going into the brick pavilion is going to give us the end project that we want.” The village may opt to manage that portion internally to save money.

Another unresolved issue is whether the park’s stage will receive a roof — something Diaz-Guy says it “should” have, though engineering challenges and wind load concerns complicate the design. He plans to ask council to seek bids through a Request for Proposal or RFP this winter, with hopes of selecting a contractor in spring.

The park project has faced both budget and timeline complications in recent months. Some delays stemmed from settlement negotiations with Norfolk Southern over the 2023 train derailment as work on the park’s design was paused during those talks. As part of the settlement with the railroad, which included a cash payout of $22 million, the village agreed to absorb a $3 million design fee — a cost not included in the original budget — pushing the overall project beyond its cap and delaying the timeline.

Weather concerns and a lengthy permit review from the state have also slowed progress.

How much public input will be factored into Phase 3 decisions, especially after no community meeting was held to discuss potential cuts, is not clear.  Diaz-Guy said only one group — composed of himself and four residents — had been formally involved so far, specifically in designing playground and landscaping concepts.

Progress on the new olympic-sized pool is advancing as Phase 2 of the $25 million overhaul to the village park is making strides. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

He said that while some recommendations have helped improve the design, “any large changes to the park project will be discussed in public session” once final proposals are ready. He emphasized that no major components have been cut beyond what Michael Baker originally recommended and said “any cuts would be strategic and in the best interest of wisely using the village’s funds.”

It is also unclear exactly how the $25 million budget was spent — how much on what improvement.  The village maintains an internal list of cost estimates for each park component, but Diaz-Guy said it isn’t as simple as a list. 

“We do have the final costs for items that have been completed,” he said. “Some items are very straightforward to understand, but others are somewhat confusing. For instance asphalt is shared across all the sports courts, not one specific court. Similarly, so is the site work, concrete, and excavation, etc. We do have an itemized budgetary number for all items that have not yet been completed such as Phase 3. These would be construction estimates.”

So far, the community as a whole has been left in the dark on the ” itemized budgetary number” but making it public isn’t simple either.  Diaz-Guy cited concerns that sharing it publicly could influence contractor bidding.

As for the remaining derailment settlement money, Diaz-Guy said there is “no plan as of yet to spend a substantial amount” until the village stabilizes its finances.

Crews work to complete laying of gas and sanitary lines before winter weather sets in as Phase 2 of the $25 million overhaul to the East Palestine Park makes strides. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

Funds are currently invested while council considers long-term needs such as infrastructure improvements, road work and a future municipal building for the fire, police and administrative departments.

“We are keeping an open ear and balanced eye on the needs of the community,” Diaz-Guy said.

New sports courts and dog park parking are part of the completed upgrades to the East Palestine Park. The $25 million project is now in its second phase.  (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

New sports courts and dog park parking are part of the completed upgrades to the East Palestine Park. The $25 million project is now in its second phase.  (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

The Village of East Palestine  may opt to manage updates to the brick pavilion internally to save money and help keep the $25 million park project under budget.  (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

The Amphitheater at the East Palestine Park is now complete. The new venue inside the park was part of the $25 million park renovations paid for by Norfolk Southern.  (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)