City advances Crescent Creek Lift Station No. 1 design after deeper geotech findings; cost estimate around $2.4 million

Public works staff and consultants reported updated design work and cost estimates for the Lift Station No. 1 rehabilitation at Crescent Creek Park and said they will advance to detailed design and prepare a construction package.

The historic lift station dates to the 1974 original sewer system. A second, deeper geotechnical investigation found soil conditions requiring a deep foundation approach (for example, piles or drilled shafts). To reduce construction cost impacts, the consultant revised the building design from concrete masonry unit (CMU) construction to a metal building with a facade to match the park aesthetic. The consultant’s 30 percent-design cost estimate shows a construction subtotal of about $2,400,000; additional project costs for construction support, inspection and materials testing are included in the total estimate and will be refined in 60 percent and final design.

Staff said the city has water- and sewer-capital budget capacity in the 2027 schedule but may ask council to move available funds into 2026 if construction is accelerated. Staff will return with contract amendments for construction engineering and owner’s construction support; the 30 percent design is complete and the consultant expects to submit 60 percent design in early April.

Council members asked whether siting at the low-lying location near the creek remains necessary (staff said the site is the low point and moving it would introduce system-wide changes and pumping) and whether the metal building and facade approach has precedent. City operations staff and the consultant said similar metal-building solutions with appropriate HVAC and interior work have been used successfully at comparable utilities projects.

Council did not take a formal vote during the study session but provided direction to proceed with the design changes and return with refined final estimates and contract amendments.