Voyles Park Master Plan takes shape

Hudson Oaks Police Chief Michael Baldwin, right, congratulates department Lieutenant Alan Cardona for his promotion at the Hudson Oaks City Council meeting Feb. 26.

Melissa Winn/The Community News

Initially presented late last year as only four phases, the city and representatives from Kimley-Horn reworked the plan to add one more phase to alleviate some of the financial burden for each.

Laura Presley, Kimley-Horn landscape architect, presented what each phase entailed and what it would look like. The overall cost if everything is completed, which could take upwards of 15 years, is estimated to be around $20 million. 

Phase 1 includes infrastructure improvements to drainage and paved parking to increase to 116 stalls. Cost is approximately $5 million, which could be covered by multiple grants and partnerships. 

Phase 2 would cost about the same and includes a food truck loop, restroom facility, and a pavilion with shaded seating. Phase 3 incorporates a fenced, inclusive playground and lawn space, again at a cost of approximately $5 million. 

Phases 4 and 5 would cost less at a combined total of $4 million, with Phase 4 carrying the most weight at $3.48 million. This phase includes more parking and a storage building for city property with the final phase expanding the playground should the demand be there for that to happen. 

Part of the reason for needing to get the Voyles Park Master Plan approved was for the city to be able to begin applying for grants and other state and federal funding to help pay for the proposed upgrades. 

Sterling Naron, Hudson Oaks City Administrator, said the City didn’t want to go into debt or use funds earmarked for other things. Using Public Improvement District (PID) funds of approximately $100,000 per year, which should grow over time as economic development grows, will supplement any grants and funding that may be won.

Mayor Tom Fitzpatrick reiterated that since the city is funded by sales tax, outside funding is critical to making the project happen. 

Lara Brown, Hudson Oaks Director of Operations, made sure council understood that approving the Master Plan did not obligate the city to move forward with any of the phases as presented, it was simply so grants and other funding could be applied for. 

Council unanimously approved the measure. 

Also at the meeting, Council:

• Approved an item to allow Naron to execute a contract for IT managed services with Maverick Computer Services. Maverick will maintain everything from “I can’t print” to determining what upgrades are needed to software and hardware. 
• Recognized the promotion to lieutenant of Hudson Oaks Police detective Alan Cardona from last quarter. Cardona has been with the department since 2018 and is a former member of the U.S. Marine Corps.