The long-awaited renovation of Codman Park is about to go out to bid, with a potential con- struction start in August, ending years of planning and waiting for an upgrade to the underutilized space at the top of Centre Street in Codman Square.

In a meeting in the park held earlier this month, Nellie Ward, project manager for Boston Parks and Recreation, told neighbors the city intends to go out to bid from May 28 to June 13, which could mean a start date this summer.

The project, which is Phase 1of a larger Codman Commons concept, would ideally be completed before July 2025.

“If everything goes according to plan...we will have a contract awarded on June 13 provided the bids come in within the budget,” Ward told neighbors gathered in the park this month. “If the bids are over the budget, and that hap- pens sometimes, we would have to go out to bid again. If not, we could have construction starting in late July or early August.”

Ward said if that a second bidding period might require some “value engineering,” or eliminating some of the pieces in the park plan.

The park will be closed a few weeks before construction, with a fence placed around the space. The Codman Square Farmer’s Market and other park activities will be diverted this summer.

The entirety of the project budget is $900,200, with a construction purse of $760,000. Recently, Ward announced that money for construction had increased as Ward secured $170,000 from the Office of Green Infrastructure and Climate Ready Streets forthe addition of climate resilient features.

The Friends of Codman Square Park has given reviews to the plan and the group was excited about getting the extra money for climate resilience.

The plan as proposed will open the park substantially, particularly at the entrance on Washington Street – allowing for a more open flow. The curbing inside the park will be removed and pathways will be installed at grade for safety and accessibility improvements. Most of the mature trees will be preserved in the center of the park, though some dead ones will be removed.

Plans also call for a mound to be installed in the center of the park, with a concert stage at the back fence. Electricity will be brought into the park, especially into the stage area so that generators will no longer be necessary for performances or Farmer’s Market activity.

Rain gardens will be installed within the park for better drainage, and the perimeter fence along Talbot Avenue will be refurbished. For the Christmas holiday, a permanent tree stand has been proposed for the entry piazza on Washington Street – eliminating the fir tree that was always used within the park and has seen better days. And local artist Destiny Palmer is in the process of designing the “I Am Codman Square” statue that is expected to be a photo friendly addition to the layout.

Phase 2 of the plan awaits a timeline. That piece will focus on the other side of the area in front of the Second Church, but an agreement has already been hammered out for cooperation on the larger Codman Commons that will integrate both properties when all is done. Rev. Victor Price, of Second Church, said they are waiting on the completion of the ongoing steeple renovation and Codman Burial Ground rehabilitation for the church. Once that is completed, they will turn their attention to Codman Commons, with the hope that it will be a centerpiece where the community can gather year-round for civic and social occasions.