Plans to build permanent restroom facilities for Centennial Park in downtown’s southwest parking lot were nixed by the Oxford Village Council last week.
Council had been saving the village’s federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds over the last four years for the project, but the costs proved to be much higher than the available monies.
Funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, CDBG funds are designed to assist residents with low-to-moderate income, prevent or eliminate blight and slums, and meet urgent community needs where no other funding is available.
A total of $25,275 in CDBG funds from 2003-2006 were earmarked for the restroom project, which was designed to replace the rented portable toilets used at events like Concerts in the Park or Celebrate Oxford.
However, when the village solicited bids to construct restroom facilities, only one bid was received and that was for $61,700 from Valley Building & Repair.
On top of that, DPW Superintendent Don Brantley estimated the project would cost an additional $8,900 to $10,300 for things such as a sewer tap, water connection, electrical connection and removal and replacement of asphalt in the parking lot.
Rental of the portable toilets for the concert season currently costs the village $350 annually.
Despite council’s decision, the village is out some money because of the project.
The village previously paid $3,500 to the Oxford-based D.L. Jones and Associates Architects to draw up plans for a 200-square-foot restroom building. Those plans are now sitting in the village offices.
Council now plans to spend the CDBG money it had been saving on minor home repairs for residents who are of low-to-moderate income.