The City of Cottage Grove approved the final payment for its initial phase of the expansion of Hamlet Park.

The council approved payment of $65,211.50 to Miller Excavating.

Total cost of the project was $284,063.95, which was $12,308.30 less than the approved contract for the work.

The city moved forward with passed expansion of Hamlet Park. The park is located east of Hamlet Avenue near 89th Street.

The project includes phased construction of additional baseball and softball friends, trails, sidewalks, parking areas and a new par pavilion-concession building.

Grading and site preparation and utility installations for construction of the new park amenities started in 2019.

Future passes of the project will include building the ball fields, parking areas, bike paths, sidewalk and trails, as well as landscaping and building the pavilion.

Construction manager Mike Pieper-White of Bolton & Menk recommended city approval of the project.

“The contractor began the project in June of 2019 and the project was substantially completed in May of 2020. The contractor returned in the spring of 2020 to complete the remaining punch list work<‘ Pieper-White wrote to Cottage Grove City Engineer Ryan Burfeind. “Miller Excavating Inc., in accordance with the contract plans and specifications has satisfactorily completed the work. Therefore, it is recommended that final payment of $65,200.50 be made and the City of Cottage Grove accept the project.”

The resolution for payment was included on the city council’s unanimous consent agenda.