Wildwood commissioners approved an $8.8-million contract for Millennium Park improvements Monday night despite the objection of Mayor Ed Wolf.
The contract was awarded to Blackwater Construction Services of Gainesville, which submitted the lowest of two bids. The other bid was $12.5 million from Carr & Collier Inc. of Leesburg.
Blackwater was recommended by CPH Consulting, which designed the project and supervised the bid process.
With the city facing the estimated $150 million cost of a new wastewater treatment plant, Wolf said the park improvements should be put on hold.
“This project was on the back burner for years,” he said. “It’s time to put it back on the back burner.”
But other commissioners disagreed and the contract was approved on a 3-2 vote.
The massive project includes demolition and replacement of paved surfaces, including parking areas, roads, cart path and concrete sport pads. It includes heavy duty concrete for the food truck parking area, driveway and concession stand.
It includes construction of tennis courts, a racquetball court and a covered basketball court. Sports fields also will be upgraded with replacement of goal posts, pickleball net posts and baseball bases.
Sewer and water lines will be replaced. Lighting and electrical equipment will be installed for tennis courts, basketball court and parking areas.