Construction on the Ballard Corners Park may begin in a few weeks now that a contractor has been selected.

WS Contractors bid $117,000 to do the base elements on the park, located at Northwest 62nd Street and 17th Avenue Northwest.

The base elements include: erosion control; selective clearing; importing fill material; curbing; a new automatic irrigation system; along with trees, shrubs and ground cover.

"It's an exciting step," said Friends of Ballard Corners Park co-chair David Folweiler.

Work on the parks other features will go out for re-bidding later this summer.

The work includes a re-creation of Boutin's Grocery as an entryway to the park. Visitors will be able sit on swivel seats and a counter with historic photographs of the store, which was in business in from the early 1900s to 1950s.

This will be a mini-park with a living room containing a concrete bench and easy chair.

The plans include a community garden and children's play area.

Jody and Mark Stewart are working on a donor tile design. People can purchase the tiles for $100 and put their name or message on them. Friends of Ballard Corners Park hopes to sell 50 to 100 of the tiles.

Groundswell NW is approaching local condominium developers to contribution their resources to help create green space.

"We'd love to have them participate," said Folweiler.