When elected mayor, Frank Picozzi dreamed of demolishing the long-closed City Hall Annex and erecting an outdoor skating rink on the site.

Now, assuming City Council approval of a $7.3 million contract Monday, a ground breaking for the signature element of Warwick Plaza will happen next month and the facility could be completed in about a year and a half. Tower Construction of Cranston, one of two companies to bid the job came out as the apparent low bidder according to Picozzi.

“It was very close,” he said of the bid of Bentley Construction Co. of Warwick.

As estimates were less than the projected $8 million set aside for the plaza and rink, Picozzi said the city would be able to fulfill requests of the Historic District Commission for building design features reflective of historic Apponaug. Some of those features were being considered expendable if corners needed to be cut to trim costs.

Funding for the project, which includes a roof and is seen as a venue for seasonal concerts, food truck events, shows and fairs is coming from a $5 million Senator Jack Reed earmark grant and $3 million in America Rescue Plan Act funds.

“It feels great,” Picozzi said now that the city has a construction contract within the budget, spring is here and work is about to begin.