Progress continues at Richard Simpson Park as the new Lake House structure has begun to take shape. The concrete building foundation is complete, along with the installation of the vertical walls. The waterline cut across Arkansas Lane is also complete. Construction on the project, which will manifest in a state-of-the-art lake house that will give lake-loving residents a new destination spot, will continue throughout the year.
Last month’s work included:
• Construction of the stone facade
• Interior building work
• Parking lot demolition and construction of a new concrete drive
• Construction of a new concrete drop off at the building entrance off Arkansas Lane
• Construction of a trash dumpster screen wall
Phase one of park redevelopment improvements started late October 2017. The $3.5 million project, scheduled to be complete by December 2018, aligns with the Arlington City Council priority to Champion Great Neighborhoods.
Construction is funded through the 2008 Bond Referendum and Arlington Tomorrow Foundation.
The Lake House will feature a 1,800-square-foot community room with an adjoining covered patio overlooking Lake Arlington, making the venue a great space for private event rentals, business meetings and corporate outings.
There will also be new restrooms for residents and visitors, dedicated offices for lake staff, a lounge and rental room, a warming kitchen for rental and parks activities, and a reconfigured parking lot with direct sidewalk access to the boat dock.
To help Arlington residents keep tabs on the progress of all projects that were included in bond elections, the city recently launched a regular Bond Tracker segment for MyArlingtonTV (arlington-tx.gov/broadcast/).
In addition to the bond election that spawned the Richard Simpson Park Lake House project, in November 2014, Arlington voters approved a five-year, $236 million dollar bond package. Projects included in that package focus on street improvements, Parks & Recreation, Fire Department facilities and City Libraries.
The city offers residents an interactive Bond Tracker website, filtered map, updated stories and videos on construction projects, and complete list of the Capital Budget Planning and Project Sequencing for the 2014 Bond Program at tinyurl.com/ya7484a8.
