By Alex Headley
The Pinson City Council voted 5-1 Thursday night in favor of a resolution to secure the services of an architect to help develop the master plan for the upcoming Pinson Recreational Park.
Councilwoman Joy McCain offered the resolution to select Goodwyn Mills Cawood for the project. She said the firm could work with the project from beginning to end.
Councilman Shane Shelnutt voted against the resolution, stating a desire for public input before selecting an architect. Councilman John Churchwell also expressed an interest in hearing public opinion.
Mayor Hoyt Sanders said that the public would have an opportunity to provide input on the next stage of the park planning. Councilman Joe Cochran agreed to engage the public in the next phase of the planning.
“We will, I’m sure, have two or three input sessions on that as they progress with it,” Sanders said
. “Once Council has settled on an acceptable site plan, then (Goodwyn Mills Cawood) will come back and estimate what it will cost to design the park as per the site plan.”
Churchwell supported the selection of Goodwyn Mills Cawood. He said he was familiar with some of the firm’s other work and was impressed.
Goodwyn Mills Cawood quoted $6,750 for the project and will be primarily responsible for creating the master plan for the park.
Four other architecture firms submitted quotes for the project, as well. CorleyTimothySweeneyMcCormac Architects, Inc., quoted $7,500. Pasuer & Associates Architecture quoted $12,000. Kelly Landscape Architects and Nimrod Long and Associates both quoted $6,500.
Sanders said he is happy with the council’s choice to hire Goodwyn Mills Cawood.
“They were one of my top two,” Sanders said. “They’ve certainly done quite a bit of parks. All of the proposals were good proposals. I don’t think any of the firms would have done a defective job in any way, shape or form, but I’m very happy with the selection that Council has made with Goodwyn Mills. I’m very excited to get the project started.”