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Sykesville readies South End streetscape bid to obligate ARPA funds
Summary
Town staff released a bid package for the South End streetscape, planning to obligate remaining ARPA funds by year-end and start construction in Q1; design includes reconfigured parking, pavers and retractable bollards for event closures.
Town Manager Joe told the Sykesville mayor and council on Nov. 12 that the bid package for the South End streetscape has been finalized and will be posted for contractors this week, with the goal of bringing a contract to council before year-end so federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds can be obligated.
Why it matters: Town staff said ARPA funds must be obligated by the end of the calendar year to retain the award; the town has until 2026 to spend the money. Officials told council they expect to use the remaining ARPA allocation for the streetscape and that construction could begin in the town’s first quarter of next year once a contractor is under contract.
What’s planned: Joe described work covering Oklahoma Avenue south along Main Street and Baldwin Drive. The scope includes reconfiguring the Sextel Station parking lot for clearer entrances and exits, beautification work across Main Street near the DSC building and a distillery, and converting a section of Oklahoma Avenue (often closed for small events) to a paved, pedestrian-friendly surface with pavers and retractable manual bollards to facilitate closures for markets and events.
Timeline and funding notes: Staff stated the bid documents limit construction duration to roughly six months and that the town is prioritizing work in Baldwin Drive and the parking lot to accommodate the farmers market in May. Council members discussed coordinating construction phasing to keep key event spaces usable. Joe said the town expects the streetscape contract to use the remaining ARPA balance and emphasized that obligation, not final spending, is the near-term deadline.
Questions and technical choices: Council members asked about bollard types; staff said the plan calls for manual drop-down bollards rather than an automated system. Officials also discussed coordinating with the DSC and the public on event timing and phasing to minimize disruptions.
Next steps: The town will post the bid package online, proceed through the procurement process, and return a contract to council for approval before the obligation deadline.
