Cleveland Heights to borrow funds for major Cumberland Pool renovation project

NewsCleveland Heights officials say Cumberland Pool will remain open through the 2027 swim season before closing for a planned reconstruction project.Tom JewellBy Kaylee Remington, cleveland.comcleveland.com Express DeskCLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Cleveland Heights plans to borrow money to pay for most of the reconstruction of Cumberland Pool, as the city moves closer to selecting a construction manager and hopes to break ground next summer.City officials told Cleveland Heights City Council Tuesday night that they expect to ask council in the spring to approve financing for the project. The city has applied for several grants, but officials said the pool will primarily be financed through city-issued debt.The city could use a short-term bond anticipation note to finance the project initially and later roll that debt into a longer-term bond, depending on interest rates, said Joseph Brodzinski, the city’s finance director.He added that a financing plan is being developed as the city advances the project toward construction. Officials expect Cumberland Pool to remain open through the 2027 swimming season, close in September 2027 and undergo construction through the following year. The goal is to reopen the renovated pool for the summer 2028 season.The city received nine statements of qualifications from companies interested in managing construction and narrowed the field to four firms. Proposals were received last week, and the finalists were interviewed this week.Roger Riachi, the city’s representative from RFC Construction, said officials expect to recommend a construction manager to council for approval Friday.The city is using a construction manager-at-risk process, which brings the construction company into the project while the design is being developed. Riachi said that will allow the city and construction manager to identify potential problems and monitor costs before construction begins.That approach is particularly important for Cumberland Pool, he said, because the project involves an older bathhouse and an existing pool that officials plan to renovate and expand.The four firms are being evaluated on their experience with pool construction, historic renovations and public projects, as well as their proposed teams, availability, costs and ability to meet the project’s schedule, Riachi said.Once selected, the construction manager will work with the city’s design team as plans progress. The design remains in its early stages, with preliminary ideas expected to be presented to council in October.Council will have another major vote before construction begins approval of the project’s guaranteed maximum price. Any change orders that increase that amount would also require council approval.Kaylee Remington joined cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer in 2016 and is the news organization's Cuyahoga County suburban cities reporter, focusing on the communities surrounding Cleveland. Her reporting...