Jersey Village Council approved a contract with John Reed and Company to replace the Ecuador Pedestrian Bridge and surrounding site work, accepting the lowest base bid of $688,405 and authorizing selected alternates after debate over cost and aesthetics.

Assistant City Manager Robert Bassford presented the project as part of the 2023 bond program. The council discussed four alternates: a lime-and-fly-ash soil stabilization alternate (recommended by the geotechnical engineer, $3,900), monument gateway columns (about $8,000 each), a lighting allowance to illuminate the bridge at night ($123,000), and bridge painting ($50,000). John Reed submitted the lowest bid both with and without alternates.

Council members raised safety and fiscal questions during extended debate. Some members emphasized the bridge should include lighting for safety and be "upgradable" later, while others cautioned against adding aesthetic features now when other bond projects are running above budget. One council member noted interest earned on bond proceeds and warned of possible IRS arbitrage rules if interest is not spent properly.

Two motions were considered. An initial motion to add the lighting and painting failed on a 2-2 vote. A subsequent motion approved the base contract and two items described in the motion as "lineman flashing" ($3,900) and a lighting allowance not to exceed $123,000, and set a not-to-exceed total in the motion text; that motion passed 3-1. The council recorded the vote in favor of the final motion and approved Resolution 2025-16.

Votes and motions: Council acted on Resolution 2025-16 to award the Ecuador Pedestrian Bridge project to John Reed and Company. The final motion approved the base bid ($688,405), the soil stabilization alternate ($3,900), and a lighting allowance not to exceed $123,000; the motion passed 3-1. Council directed staff to ensure the bridge can be made upgradable for additional features later.

Why it matters: The bridge links neighborhoods and parkland; council framed most of the lighting debate around safety and long-term maintenance. Staff said the bridge must be fabricated with lead time and that decisions about lighting could be finalized while fabrication proceeds.

What comes next: Staff will finalize a contract with John Reed and Company per the council authorization and will coordinate fabrication, site preparation and installation schedule.