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Price Road exploration center moves toward construction; administration seeks $335,547 supplemental to complete bid award
Summary
Parks director told council the Price Road property renovation (exploration center) received five bids and that the contract award came in under the engineer's estimate; the project has a $335,547 funding gap and staff requested a supplemental appropriation to award a contract to HGC Construction.
The Director of Parks and Recreation updated council on the Price Road project (also called the exploration center) and said the administration will seek an ordinance to award construction to HGC Construction and to add a supplemental appropriation of $335,547 to cover the remaining gap.
Project background: staff said the city acquired the 5,500-square-foot property adjacent to parkland in 2010. The site includes an outbuilding used for storage and a residential structure the department intends to renovate into about 2,700 square feet of programmable indoor space with three distinct rooms, an outdoor deck and direct access to Big Walnut Trail and adjacent parkland. The renovation would expand after-school, adult wellness and rentable community space, staff said.
Funding and procurement history: staff said the facility was awarded a $100,000 state capital grant in Feb. 2022. The project was bid in 2023 but produced only one response that exceeded the engineer's estimate; the design was re-scoped and re-bid, and staff reported five viable bids this cycle with a low bid under the engineer's estimate. Despite prior CIP appropriations and contingencies, staff said a total project gap of $335,547 remains and asked the administration be authorized to enter contract with HGC Construction and request the supplemental appropriation.
Council comments: Councilmember Renner praised the project and asked staff to preserve the unique character of the existing home; he also asked about synergy with the Rapid 5 corridor. The director said the Price Road location was identified in the Rapid 5 work as part of a natural-resources corridor and said programming may include environmental education partnering with Parks staff.
Next steps: Staff requested waiver of second reading so the ordinance can appear on the Aug. 18 regular agenda; the director said emergency appropriation is not required for construction but waiver of second reading is requested.
