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The High Point City Council approved $191,262 in additional funding for the Deep River Park project, bringing the total cost to just under $1.6 million.

The council voted 5-3, with Councilmen Bill Bencini, Latimer Alexander and Foster Douglas dissenting. Councilman Mike Pugh was absent for the vote.

The city hired Crest Construction Services to build a recreation center at Deep River Park

The council was reluctant to approve the additional funding because of concerns that $19,000 was charged to the city for delays in the project. Assistant city manager Pat Pate said the firm didn’t account for the time it would take the state Department of Insurance to approve steel frames for the building. The firm thought it would be approved in less time because the building plans were the same approved for the Allen Jay facility.

“If it was our fault for the delay, that’s one thing,” Councilwoman Bernita Sims said. “But if (the delay) happened somewhere else, we shouldn’t pay.”

Pate compared the delay to other unforeseen obstacles that happen at construction sites, such as bad weather.

“I think they’ve gotten excessive with the change orders,” Whitley said. “I think they under bid to get the project.”

In other business, the council approved:

• A contract 7-2 for a Neighborhood Stabilization Program for $2.6 million. The funding will be used to redevelop abandoned and foreclosed homes. High Point will target zip codes 27260, 27262 and 27265, the areas of the city that are most affected by blight and foreclosure.

Councilmen Bill Bencini and Whitley voted against approval.

• A contract for $213,750, awarded to Trayer Engineering for pad mount switches.

• A resolution 8-1 to partner with the state Department of Transportation to fund preliminary engineering services for the High Point Greenway Trail. The trail will begin at the entrance to University Park off Deep River Road and end at the entrance to the Piedmont Environmental Center off Penny Road. Whitley voted against approval.

• An order to vacate and close a multiple housing unit at 501-D Meredith St., owned by Schwarz Properties.

• To reappoint 7-1 Peary Coughenour to the historic preservation commission. Whitley voted against the action.

Contact E.A. Seagraves at 883-4422, Ext. 241, or elizabeth. seagraves@news-record.com