The curb wall that supports the railing surrounding the playing field is deteriorating. This expenditure authorization will expedite the start of this project at the release of FY2023 budget; this will help minimize impacts to events, reservations, and the 2023 Spring Training season.

Approve the expenditure of funds up to the budgeted amount of $750,000 for safety repairs at Goodyear Ballpark. (Bruce Kessman, Deputy Director Parks and Recreation)

Funding for project 50033 is included in the Capital Improvement Plan as an Asset Replacement for FY2023. Willmeng Construction, Inc. has provided a quote of $681,169.46 to perform the necessary repairs to railing and concrete curbing.  Full budget expenditure authorization of $750,000 is requested in the event of unknown circumstances related to this repair.

In 2018, Gervasio & Associates, a Structural, Forensic and Civil Engineering Firm, completed an investigation of the Goodyear Ballpark, the results of which have been captured in the Goodyear Ballpark Stadium Limited Facility Evaluation report. This report presented findings based on varying levels of deterioration and the requirement or need of repairs. The categories were provided to assist the city with managing and budgeting for the repairs based on the criticality of the corrosion and/or damage. Based on the conclusion of the report, the affected areas will need to be addressed before more costly repairs need to be made, and/or areas of the ballpark may become safety hazards for staff, team personnel and visitors of Goodyear Ballpark. The curb wall supporting the railing was identified as an area to monitor for future repair. The railing is inspected routinely and during routine inspection in October, staff discovered that the wall has significantly deteriorated causing the concrete to break apart in several areas and the railing to become loose.

Previously completed repairs based on the report include:
1. Right Field Pavilion 2. Berm Fencing 3. Retaining Walls 4. Hand Rails

Due to the Goodyear Ballpark Stadium Limited Evaluation Report, staff monitor the railing and curbing routinely. Since staff observed and reported accelerated deterioration, which will lead to future failure of the railing system, this project is a high priority. While there is not an exact timeframe for complete failure, the department is taking a proactive approach to complete these repairs as soon as possible when there is minimal impact to the operation and displacement of events.

If the necessary repairs are delayed, this could have significant safety impacts to Major League Baseball Players and fans. If the railing system fails before spring training, the season would be impacted or would result in more costly repairs.