The City of Charleston Finance Committee on Oct. 6 approved Resolution 25-96 to award a $579,755 construction contract to Lake Crest Construction for storm sewer work on Chesterfield Avenue and Glenwood Grove.

City staff said the competitively bid contract will replace about 160 feet of 30-inch pipe and around 850 feet of 18-inch pipe in the project area. Engineering staffer Aaron Morris collaborated with the state, which is administering grant funds for the job; staff said a grant of approximately $569,000 had been secured with a 25% city match to cover the work.

During committee discussion, members asked about the large spread in bid amounts on earlier contracts and whether low bidders met specifications. Staff replied that all bids met the specifications and that the contract amount was slightly below the budgeted amount. A committee member asked about start timing; staff said they would consult the contractor and report back.

Staff also noted the project originated with a congressional directed spending request secured about three years earlier by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.

Decision: the committee moved and approved the resolution by voice vote; the ayes were declared to have adopted the resolution.

Why it matters: the project addresses failing storm infrastructure on a city street and uses a mix of state-administered grant funds and local match to complete the replacement work. The contract award advances design-to-construction steps on a long-delayed project.