City Council awards $488K for Horab Springs retaining wall improvements project

In a recent meeting of the Waukesha Board of Public Works, city officials discussed the awarding of a significant contract for the Horab Springs retaining wall improvements project. The board received bids on June 13, 2025, and recommended awarding the base bid to Always Contractors for $488,906. This amount is notably higher than the original budget of approximately $185,000, raising questions among board members about the substantial cost increase.

City staff explained that the project had evolved since its initial approval in 2021. Originally, the plan was to restack the existing keystone walls. However, over the past few years, the city encountered several failures in the wall, revealing that there was no geo grid support behind it. This discovery necessitated a more extensive reconstruction approach, including deeper excavation to install the required geo grid and drainage systems.

The engineering department proposed using a Ready Rock system, which has been successfully implemented in other city projects, such as at Buckter Park. While the materials for this system are more expensive, it requires less excavation and labor, making it a more viable option given the challenging site conditions around the pool area.

The board also discussed the financial implications of the project. The additional $300,000 needed for the improvements will be sourced from carryover funds, which are funds that had been allocated in previous years but not yet utilized. City officials emphasized the importance of using these funds promptly to avoid potential complications with federal regulations regarding tax-exempt bonds.

The board unanimously approved the motion to proceed with the project, highlighting the city's commitment to addressing infrastructure needs despite budgetary challenges. As the city moves forward with this project, officials are encouraged to remain vigilant about ongoing and future infrastructure projects to ensure timely completion and effective use of resources.