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Atherton council approves new Holbrook‑Palmer park restroom design build after debate over pump system and scope
Summary
The council authorized a design‑and‑supply contract with Romtek and directed staff to bid construction of a new restroom building at Holbrook‑Palmer Park, citing recurring lift‑station failures and long‑term value despite higher cost than a remodel.
The Town of Atherton on Sept. 17 authorized staff to execute a design‑and‑supply contract with Romtek and to bid construction of a replacement restroom building at Holbrook‑Palmer Park. The motion passed unanimously.
Council and staff framed the decision as a choice between a lower‑cost renovation of the existing restroom footprint and a full replacement. Staff said the council previously budgeted $850,000 in the capital improvement plan for the playground restroom replacement. The design‑and‑supply contract with Romtek—who will prepare design and supply materials but not perform on‑site construction—was quoted at about $300,000; staff estimated a remodel option could cost roughly half the full replacement but emphasized that both options require replacing the site’s grinder pump/lift station, which has been the source of repeated failures and closures.
Several council members argued a new building would provide greater longevity, capacity (including a family restroom), and a better visitor experience, while other members emphasized ensuring the lift station is an industrial‑grade, redundant system. Staff confirmed that whichever option the council selected would include a new lift station and that design would seek redundancy to reduce future closures.
Council member Widmer and others expressed that a higher‑quality replacement would pay off over the long term and better serve families using the playground and other park facilities. The council instructed staff to contract with Romtek for design and supply and to proceed with a construction bid package; a subsequent contract will be brought to council for award of the installation contractor once bids are returned.
Staff said the Romtek contract and construction are expected to be funded from the previously approved $850,000 CIP allocation; staff also stated that if a subset of proposed meetings or design elements are not used, costs would be adjusted accordingly.
The council’s action authorizes the town to proceed to the construction bidding stage with a design intended to replace the existing building and its pump system.
