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Coon Rapids council awards three contracts to remove old water tower and build monopole
Summary
The City Council awarded three contracts March 18 for demolition, site preparation and monopole construction to replace an old water tower. Councilmembers discussed timing, easement coordination with McDonald's and that work should largely finish by November 2025.
The Coon Rapids City Council on March 18 voted to award three contracts to remove an existing water tower, complete site preparation and construct a new monopole to replace the tower.
City staff recommended awarding separate contracts for demolition, site preparation and monopole construction. The council approved a $179,500 contract to General Construction Services for demolition, a $15,300 contract to Dave Perkins Contracting Inc. for site preparation and a $291,707.29 contract to Vinco Inc. for monopole construction.
City staff said the demolition and site-preparation work will be paid from the water utility fund and the monopole construction from a revolving construction fund. Staff told the council the combined cost came in below earlier engineers’ estimates and the city’s previously budgeted amounts. Staff estimated the overall schedule runs through November 2025 and said work could begin as soon as mid-April, weather permitting and after easement coordination.
During discussion, staff cautioned that work timing depends on weather, coordination with property owners and an easement with a nearby McDonald’s, and possible short road closures coordinated with Anoka County. Council members asked whether contractors would need multi-day closures; staff said specifications limited closures and that some bidders said they might not need to close the road or adjacent business at all.
Council member Charles Robert Armstrong raised a question about the low bid from Dave Perkins Contracting Inc.; staff said they had confirmed the bidder understood the specifications and expected the contractor to perform within the bid. Staff also explained there are different demolition approaches—cut-and-drop, piece-by-piece removal or crane-assisted dismantling—and that those details will be resolved during preconstruction.
Council member Andrew Geisler moved to award the contracts and approve the related resolution; Butler seconded. The motion carried with all members present voting yes.
The contracts approved were: General Construction Services — $179,500 (demolition); Dave Perkins Contracting Inc. — $15,300 (site preparation); Vinco Inc. — $291,707.29 (monopole construction). Staff said engineering, construction administration and inspection fees are additional and included in the budget estimates.
Councilmembers and staff emphasized the project is expected to recover costs over time through antenna lease revenue on the new monopole.
