CLARKSVILLE — It looks like MKSK, the firm hired to work with town leaders and community members to create the South Clarksville Redevelopment Plan, will continue to work with the town on a new project.
At this week's Redevelopment Commission meeting, the commission voted in favor of moving forward with working with MKSK on the plan and development of the Clarksville waterfront, as outlined in the south Clarksville Redevelopment Plan.
Dylan Fisher, Clarksville redevelopment director, said he brought in Justin Goodin of MKSK to present the commission with work they completed in similar areas and to propose what would be done in the town.
The proposed plan includes three phases which overlap and are estimated to take nine months to complete. The first phase, estimated at one to four months, assesses the current conditions. It would include a topographical survey, phase two environmental assessments on the Marathon and Carman Industries sites, structural investigation of piers and baseline outline of requirements, steps and timeline.
Phase II, estimated at one to nine months, would include any necessary land acquisition, project commitments from public, private and philanthropic sources and a funding strategy.
The third phase, estimated at between three and nine months, would consist of the conceptual and schematic design and would include public participation sessions "... to figure out what elements should be include in the [area], what residents are looking for in this new public amenity,” Fisher said.
Although not finalized, Fisher said the theory is at the end of nine months, leaders would have construction documents and everything planned to be able to bid the project.
Fisher said MKSK is expected to be at the next redevelopment commission meeting with a contract scope of work and fee estimate, and if approved to begin working with potential engineers and subcontractors to make this a realty.
“I believe there is a gained value of having the individuals that were involved up until this point,” Fisher said. “A lot of the stakeholders and property owners down there have been in communication with these consultants. It's a familiar face, but at the same time they have the expertise and the knowledge of the plan as its proposed.
"Bringing in a different firm would require them to spend the time to study the plan, to understand it.
Fisher said prioritizing development of the riverfront will be a good lead in the start of projects forming the South Clarksville plan.