SeaTac approves $4.37 million construction contract for new Des Moines Creek Park trailhead

SeaTac City Council authorized the city manager to execute a public-works construction contract with TerraDynamics Incorporated for $4,366,410 to build a new trailhead and supporting amenities at SeaTac–Des Moines Creek Park.

The vote was 6–0. The council action covers the construction contract amount plus an alternate for accessible playground equipment; the larger project budget — including site acquisition and professional services — brings the estimated total cost of the park to about $11,125,000.

Why it matters: The trailhead project expands public access to the Des Moines Creek Trail, adds a fully accessible playground (including a proposed accessible zip line), a picnic pavilion and a prefabricated public restroom, and improves pedestrian and bicycle connections off South 200th Street.

Deputy Parks and Recreation Director Michael Fitzpatrick presented the design and budget to the council. He described the project’s scope and funding and said the work is intended to address limitations at the existing small trailhead and changes from the SR-509 project. “Really this project is about expanding access,” Fitzpatrick said during his presentation.

Key details from the presentation and council discussion: - Contract award: TerraDynamics Incorporated (low responsive bidder) — base bid plus alternate for accessible playground equipment results in a contract request of $4,366,410 (includes the 10% contingency added into the amount presented to council). - Construction and schedule: staff said they expect contractor mobilization this spring, with construction April–December 2025 and a target ribbon-cutting in December 2025. - Project budget and funding: the construction estimate plus professional services and contingencies brought the estimated construction-related expenditures to $5,002,068. The grand total including land purchase and professional services is about $11,125,000. City staff reported the 301 fund balance (park fund) at $5,161,042 as of March 5; roughly $1.2 million of that balance is King County Park levy funding. - Accessibility and amenities: the project includes a paved multi-use path, looped parking accessed from 18th Avenue S, a picnic pavilion, a prefabricated restroom building and a fully accessible playground with a proposed zip line (city staff said it would be the first accessible zip line in SeaTac). - Safety and operations: council asked about security cameras, lighting and site access; staff said parking-lot lighting, security cameras and internet capability for the site are planned and that the City will work with the neighboring facility on signage and access rules for the private right-of-way.

Councilmember Iris Guzman moved to authorize the contract and Councilmember Joe Vincent seconded the motion. After questions from council on cost controls, change-order risk and coordination with adjacent properties, the council approved the motion 6–0. Councilmembers who voted aye were Mayor Mohammed Ygol, Deputy Mayor Iris Guzman, Councilmembers Sunayte Noguse, Jake Simpson, Peter Kwan and Joe Vincent.

The contract authorization directs the city manager to execute the public-works construction contract; staff said further design- and construction-stage coordination will follow and weekly site inspections and administration will be provided by the landscape architect under separate professional services.

Ending: Construction mobilization will proceed pending administrative steps; staff will return to council with updates during construction and for any future contract amendments or material changes to scope.