GATE CITY — Work will begin on Gate City’s Community Park two weeks after Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony.
“We’re all excited about it and looking forward to getting phase one done hopefully by fall,” Gate City Mayor Jamie Lawson said after the group threw ceremonial shovels of dirt for the project start.
Quesenberry’s, Inc.’s $600,000 bid to construct the park’s Phase I was approved in October. The Big Stone Gap-based firm’s work — scaled back after the initial bid process — will include a basketball court, two pickleball courts, skate track and some green space.
“I’m proud to see it coming,” said Scott County Board of Supervisors Chair Chris Maness. “When our towns do good, the county does good. Gate City has really taken off in the last two years.”
“We’re proud of the town, the county seat and especially what’s going on on the main street,” said acting County Administrator Bill Dingus. “I had someone comment that they came through Gate City on a Saturday night and saw people walking the sidewalks, which is awesome to see and hear.”
“You can drive through town and see a lot of difference,” District 4 County Supervisor Michael Brickey said, adding that the ongoing Kane Street mural project “looks great.”
“This is going to be a big improvement, and I’m proud to be a part of Gate City,” said Brickey.
“I used to cruise this parking lot in high school, but you’ve taken that away,” County Treasurer Kevin Helms said to laughter from the crowd. “I’m really proud of the council and everything they’ve done. Everything that’s going on on Jackson Street and Kane Street, development and businesses coming into Gate City and seeing this for the kids and family and community, it’s going to be a great asset.”
Quesenberry’s is expected to start construction in mid-May, Town Manager Greg Jones said, with a fall goal for completion.