Council approves final design contract for aging Park Street pump station
Summary
The council authorized a professional engineering services contract for final design of the Park Street pump station, which staff said was installed about 90 years ago and is beyond its useful life; council approved the HDR Engineering agreement to proceed to full design.
Mount Vernon City Council on Aug. 13 authorized the mayor to execute a professional engineering services contract with HDR Engineering to complete final design work for the Park Street pump station.
Public works staff said the facility was installed roughly 90 years ago and still uses original pumps; the plant is beyond its useful life and requires replacement to maintain stormwater capacity. Blaine Chesterfield, public works engineer, said staff completed a 30% design under an on‑call contract and selected HDR through a qualifications process; HDR will provide final design services.
Chesterfield said two consultants responded to the advertised request for qualifications and HDR was selected unanimously by the review team. The council approved the contract by motion.
Why it matters: the Park Street pump station maintains stormwater conveyance and the existing facility’s age and outdated pumps present operational risk; final design is a necessary step before permitting and construction.
What the record shows: staff presented the need, the selection process and the recommendation; the transcript records a not‑to‑exceed figure that is truncated in the meeting record and therefore the precise contract cap is not specified in the transcript.
