Construction Steering Committee Formed

A lot has been happening with the Butler-Perozzi Fountain Restoration Project since we completed the fundraising campaign last fall. As a supporter and donor, we want to share with you the most recent update. But first, let’s make sure the entities involved are understood, because they share similar names:

Ashland Parks and Recreation Dept (Parks Dept.)

A City Department which provides and promotes recreational opportunities and maintains and preserves public lands. The Head of this Dept. is Parks Director Rocky Houston.

Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission (APRC)

A five-member elected body whose mission is to provide and promote recreational opportunities and to preserve Ashland’s parks and public lands.

Ashland Parks Foundation (APF)

A nonprofit organization whose mission is to financially support the programs of Ashland’s parks, and they are the lead in the fountain restoration project and fundraising campaign (via a fundraising Steering Committee made up of APF members and other community volunteers).

After the campaign was completed, the project was turned over to the Parks Dept. to develop an RFP (request for proposals) and secure a contractor for the project. Since this is not a typical Parks project and involves many complex systems, the Parks Department contracted with Architectural Resource Group (who gave us the initial estimate in 2022) to help develop the RFP. At the same time, a Construction Steering Committee was formed, by APF, which included members of the Ashland Parks Foundation and other local volunteers with building and leadership experience for this next phase of the project.

When the revised 2025 cost estimate was submitted, the cost for the project was considerably more than the original estimate of $600,000, and a $200,000 maintenance fund. This was surprising and disappointing to everyone, so the group began to think outside the box.

APF asked the City of Ashland and APRC to allow the Ashland Parks Foundation to be the “client” and take over the project. This would allow a more streamlined process, since AFP is a nonprofit and is not bound by the City’s bidding requirements. The City’s Attorney and the APRC gave the green light to move forward with this creative idea.

Using this model directly, the Ashland Parks Foundation, with input from the Construction Steering Committee, can contract with local businesses. Using this strategy, they are striving to get the work done with the funds raised. Currently there is approximately $800,000 earmarked for the project.

It’s taking longer than we anticipated, and there have been some twists and turns, but the goal is still the same, and many people are committed to seeing the project through to completion.

We’re updating the Ashland Parks Foundation website page, where you will soon be able to read more about the people involved at this stage and stay up on new developments.

Thank you for your support, your patience and your trust. We are so very grateful to all of you.