By Sarah Richardson
With the relocation of the Public Works Department, a dog park is planned to open at Dorie Miller Park early next year.
After over a year of construction, the City of Lewisburg’s new Public Works building is approaching completion. On the agenda at next Tuesday’s Lewisburg City Council meeting is Resolution 571, the final Public Works Building construction pay request. To celebrate this momentous event, Mayor Beverly White, City Manager Misty Hill, and Public Works Director Tony Legg gathered at the new facility for an informational tour with the Mountain Messenger and to discuss why this building is so much more for the city than it appears.
The new Public Works facility is nestled behind the municipal water plant located on Stonehouse Road, which is a bit outside of town compared to the currently-crowded location at Dorie Miller Park on Feamster Road. Presently, the Public Works office is located across the street from the park, while garages and storage sheds for large equipment are housed on park lands themselves, beside the ballfields. This arrangement was always intended to be temporary, however, as the years passed by it was unclear of when this move off of parks land could be a reality.
“As we continue to make this move, we can then give the land back to Dorie Miller Park and continue to develop Phase III, which has plans for a short pump track and community center in the future,” explained City Manager Hill.
In 2017, Phase I of the Dorie Miller Park renovation was executed, with new restrooms and shelters installed. Phase II included an additional restroom facility, upgraded parking lots, and new playground equipment.
In May of 2021, the City purchased a large plot of land located just adjacent to the current water plant for several reasons, one being so the water plant could be extensively upgraded and have the room required for those improvements, but to also gain the space to move the Public Works headquarters and shop to a new location. With architectural and engineering services provided by the Chapman Technical Group, the financing for the $5 million dollar project was organized in early 2022, and has come in under budget.
Currently, the Public Works department is spaced out between two locations on Feamster Road and the water treatment plant. With the new facility, it will have the space for both the water department crews and the parks department crews to gather and be organized out of the same building.
“I’m just so excited that we can finally bring all of our departments together under one roof,” said an emotional Mayor White. “I’m excited for the space here, so our employees can really perform their jobs in the best way possible. I am overwhelmed by the magnitude of this project and how it’s all come together, and I’m thankful for everyone who made it happen. I’m so excited that our employees will get to utilize this new space. I’m just very thankful that we’ve been able to do this, not just for the employees, but for the city.”
The massive building boasts a seven-bay garage with two vehicle lifts inside, one of which is big enough for a dump truck or fire truck, as well as a welding station, washer and dryer for uniforms, and an equally-expansive lean-to on the back side of the building for storing water pipes to prevent sun damage. Garages for salt and cinders are already stocked and ready for the winter season. A large parking lot will provide adequate parking space for employee’s personal vehicles, and a new break room and conference room inside will be where everyone can gather for morning meetings before the start of each work day. New restroom facilities for employees includes a shower, which is a much-needed feature for crewmembers who are called out at all times of the day or night to dig out and replace busted water lines in all seasons of weather, a muddy and wet job.
“After nineteen and a half years with the City, I’m very excited to finally house all the crews under one building and come together as a family,” said Director Legg.
New offices for the Public Works Director, Water Distribution Foreman, GIS Technician, and mechanic will be located at the new facility. While the garages and storage currently situated at Dorie Miller will be removed, the public will still be able to visit the Public Works office located across the street from the park at 531 Feamster Road. This site will also continue to house the street sweeper, mowers, and other parks maintenance equipment.
“I’d like to thank City Council for being forward-thinking about what we need to do as a city. This project really shows the city’s progress,” said Mayor White.
A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for the spring, and details will be announced at a later date.