The city of Marthasville will pay Cochran Engineering a combined $20,000 to draft plans for construction projects at two city parks. City aldermen approved two service agreements with the engineering firm Sept. 22.

The projects are located at Wessel Park and Rusche Park. Wessel will be transformed from an empty field into a campground for RVs and tents, and Rushce Park will have a new retention basin installed for water control.

East Ward Alderman Nick Lange said Cochran was already hired to do some preliminary work on both projects, and will now take them all the way to construction bidding.

For Wessel Park, Cochran will provide a topographic survey and detailed site plan for grading, roads, utility lines and RV pads, according to the service agreement.

The cost of that work is $13,900.

Mayor David Lange said the preliminary plans for the park include around 12 RV pads, along with tent camping spots. He said it will be vital to have a topographic survey and grading plan for the campgrounds because of drainage concerns.

“It’s pretty flat down there, so there’s gonna have to be some work done to make sure water doesn’t pool,” Lange explained.

Engineer David Van Leer also clarified that while Cochran’s work includes water, sewer and electrical planning, it won’t include architectural designs for a shower house that the city hopes to eventually build at the campsite. Van Leer said there are ways the city could eventually save money on that design.

“There may be some ways we can get creative, doing a design-build process with a contractor, or maybe do some searching around and find a building (design) ... through the Corps of Engineers or state parks,” Van Leer commented.

Cochran will also be responsible for preparing a final construction cost estimate and bid specifications on the project.

Alderman Lange said he would like the eventual bids to factor out work such as utility installation that city workers could do in-house to reduce the cost.

Rusche project

For Rusche Park, Cochran is finalizing engineering plans for a dam and retention basin that will improve water control issues on the north side of Highway D.

Mayor Lange said the city is planning a half-acre basin in the area north of the Grabs House, which will hold excess water during heavy rains. He said it should improve the situation of nearby homeowners who’ve complained of stormwater coming into their homes.

Lange told The Record this project will also pave the way for improvements to make Rusche usable as a community park. The city hopes to eventually build walking trails around the basin, an area currently covered in trees and brush.

“Hopefully we’re going to clean that whole area up and make it more viable for the community to use,” Lange commented. “It’s called ‘Rusche Park,’ not ‘Rusche Woods.’”

Cochran will also prepare a cost estimate and documents for contractor bidding, along with the engineering plans.

Aldermen turned down an offer from Cochran to act as construction administrator, saying they would rather save money by having city officials oversee the work directly.