Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Williams County approves $9.1 million GMP for Blacktail Dam improvements, accepts five alternates
Summary
After reviewing bids, the board approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of about $9.1 million for Blacktail Dam park improvements and accepted alternates 1–5 while rejecting alternate 6.
Williams County approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) just over $9.1 million for the Blacktail Dam park project and accepted five identified bid alternates while denying one small storage alternate.
Ryan Anderson of JE Dunn told the board that bids were robust and that the base bid came in at about $9.1 million. He said earlier design estimates of roughly $11.7 million had been reduced to about $10.6 million through scope reductions and that the base bid without alternates sat just under $9.1 million. Anderson described a competitive bidding environment and the use of bid alternates so the county could add or omit scope depending on final cost.
The approved base scope covers shoreline, campground group and main areas, bathhouses/comfort stations, beach and primitive areas, and a south bypass road. The board approved alternates 1 through 5 (which include items such as fencing around the county shop building, wider and narrower nature-trail options, a timber pedestrian crossing and playground equipment at the beach campground) and denied alternate 6 (about a 200-square-foot storage addition to a 4-pod comfort station).
Schedule: Anderson said the main and group areas would start May 12 with substantial completion for that phase by Memorial Day 2026; beach, primitive areas and remaining trails are scheduled for 2026 completion with overall project closeout in fall 2026.
Why it matters: The decision advances a significant county park capital project expected to add campsites, trails, improved bathrooms and other visitor amenities. Staff said favorable bid results give flexibility to reallocate savings to additional work.
Board action: A motion to approve the GMP and alternates 1–5, rejecting alternate 6, was moved, seconded and passed on roll call.
Discussion highlights: Anderson said, “We continue to see projects coming in well under budget and, kind of a weird time for us.” Jeremy Ludlow noted the design-team work to reduce scope and preserve core features. Board members asked about flood and ice impacts at a timber pedestrian crossing; staff and the architect said the risk is known and under discussion but that a final mitigation approach has not yet been selected.
