Phillips Gives Public Works Update

Updates on Creekside Community Center, road construction, sidewalks, splashpad and more in this interview with Wade Phillips.

Harrison Public Works Director Wade Phillips joined KHOZ’s “Around the Table” program on Thursday to give several updates on projects around the city.

He began by acknowledging his department’s work on clearing roads after the snowstorm that struck Harrison a week ago. He said he was pleased with how his crew handled the situation and appreciative of a number of local businesses that provided lunch and offered their thanks to the workers clearing roadways.

Other projects he mentioned include:

Creekside Community Center – Demolition on the old junior high school facility is nearing completion. the next step is obtaining soil samples that will allow foundation design to begin on the aquatic center. The remodel and gym construction design documents are expected at the end of March.

Splashpad – Work has begun on the splashpad that is on track to be completed in time for summer. Crews are working on moving playground equipment, removing a water hydrant, and installing a water meter.

Other Parks Items – Phillips mentioned to near completion of artificial turf at the Equity Bank Sports Complex and the resurfacing of some basketball and tennis courts in the parks system.

Rocks Springs Intersection Construction – This is the first step in a large, multi-year project to improve all HWY 65 intersections from Wal-Mart to Taco Bell and widening the existing bypass from Taco Bell to near Cash Saver 870. Phillips said work has already begun on this sight and will take awhile to complete. He warned that during construction traveling through that area may be inconvenient.

Goblin Drive Construction – Phase one of this project will begin in a few weeks which will start on the Industrial Park Road side of Goblin Drive. The first phase will include replacing the bridge and making improvements up to just short of Baker Prairie. The second phase will extend to the south end of Goblin Drive and is aimed to make traffic flow during peak travel times much smoother and eliminate the need for police officers to direct traffic during the beginning and end of the school day.

Public Safety Building –  This project is scheduled to be completed and turned over to the city in late April or May. Construction has picked up considerably after early delays. Final design items are being taken care of now such as furniture packages and video equipment for the council chambers.

Solid Waste Bids – The city council decided to open the city’s solid waste services to bid with the anticipation of Orion’s Waste Solution’s contract ending at the end of 2022. Phillips said there are currently four companies that expressed interest in bidding the services. The current date for contract proposals to be turned in is March 8^th, however, Phillips said that date could be pushed out some to give adequate time for companies to put their bids together.

Sidewalk Projects – There are a few sidewalk projects near downtown that are being finished up by B&H Specialties. Phillips said he hopes to see those finished in next month or two. As for adding sidewalks to Capps Road he said there are still a couple of easements they are working on, and they are awaiting final approval for them Arkansas Department of Transportation to begin construction.

All the details on these projects with Wade Phillips can be seen in the full interview below.