Johnstown City Council approves designs for Central Park project
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ)– After changes and years of discussion, the Johnstown City Council voted Wednesday evening to approve the designs for major upgrades to the city's Central Park.
The plans from CJL Engineering and UpStreet Architects passed in a six-to-one vote. Since the original designer stepped away from the project, a few changes were made to the plan, including the addition of a platform in the center where the Christmas Tree will sit.
WTAJ News spoke with Councilman Taylor Clark, who has been on the council for almost three months of this years long process. Clark said that he disagreed with the former council's decision to use funds from the American Rescue Plan Act for the project, as he believes they could have been better utilized elsewhere in the city. Clark said that he voted yes because of all of the good that he and some fellow council members feel it will bring to the city.
'At the end of the day I'm not willing to give up all of the good about the Central Park project because of the aspects that I disagreed with,' Clark said. 'We can not potentially lose a brand new park with three phase electricity, seven new water outlets, a brand new extension on to gazebo park place, a new walk of honor, a new irrigation system and a new park that will be ADA compliant and more inclusive for all to use. I'm not willing to give up all of that just because of what I disagree with.'Clark said that for the city to back out now would be bad due to the amount of money that has already been invested into the planning process.
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