Jones Dog Park contract awarded to low bidder at $1.497 million; park will include rentable and accessible features
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Summary
The council accepted bids and awarded the Jones Dog Park contract to Midwest Concrete Inc. for $1,497,000. The park will include multiple dog areas, a rentable shelter, accessible paved walkways, utilities and restrooms; council members discussed the cost of public restrooms and bid responsiveness.
The Cedar Rapids City Council on Sept. 9 approved awarding construction of the Jones Dog Park to low bidder Midwest Concrete Inc. for $1,497,000.
Parks staff said the project has been in planning since an August 2021 adaptive reuse study of Jones Golf Course. The planned park includes a main dog area, a small-dog area, a divided training area, a rentable area with a shelter, an accessible parking lot off C Street Southwest, fully accessible paved walking areas, water, electrical service and portable restrooms.
Staff reported the estimated project cost at $1,800,000. Nine bids were received on Aug. 27, 2025, ranging from $1,497,000 to $2,088,000; Parks and Recreation recommended awarding to the low bidder. Council Member Doug Meyer asked why the bid list was large; staff said fall contracting schedules can lead contractors to seek work. Council Member O'Rourke noted earlier committee discussion about public-restroom inventory for unhoused residents and referenced an approximate $300,000 figure often associated with permanent public restroom construction.
The resolution to award the contract was moved and seconded on the record and carried by voice vote. Staff will proceed with contract execution and construction scheduling; the bid award does not itself change the approved project scope described in the bid documents.
The council recorded the bid results and authorized staff to move forward with the low bidder, with construction and scope details to be carried out by Parks and Recreation and contractor coordination.