Council approves $1.212 million GMP amendment to begin Wyrick Drive work for Cheetah Lake Park project

The Lebanon City Council on Oct. 8 approved Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) amendment No. 1 totaling $1,212,000 to begin early work on the Cheetah Lake Park improvement project, focusing on the Wyrick Drive frontage and utility backbone.

City Manager told the council the overall project originally cost‑estimated at about $7.4 million had been value‑engineered and the city currently has roughly $5.2 million available. He said the GMP amendment No. 1 authorizes Knife River (contractor) to start the Wyrick Drive portion of work, including a multi‑use path along park frontage, road‑widening, storm drainage stub‑outs into the park, stubbed utilities and final paving of Wyrick Drive.

"We don't have that much money," the city manager said, noting the amendment allows the city to get started on the priority backbone work while staff continue scoping GMP amendment No. 2 for park amenities such as restrooms, lighting, paths, seating and a potential stage area. The manager said the second amendment will likely follow within a month or two and that initial work could begin in November.

Councilors moved and seconded approval of the GMP amendment; the motion passed. The manager said the city expects to complete the backbone work and then return to council with a second GMP amendment and potential additional funding requests to finish features such as the stage and full parking improvements.

Context: The council has considered the park project for months and this action authorizes early construction of access and utility backbone elements while the city secures or scopes remaining funds for park facilities.

Ending: Council approved the amendment and city staff plan to return with GMP amendment No. 2 for park elements.