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Trustees award Union Center Boulevard contract despite bids coming in over budget; work to begin July
Summary
Board approved awarding a contract for the Union Center Boulevard project after bids came in above the budgeted amount; staff said the project must start in July to avoid delaying next concert season and liquidated damages of $2,000 per day will be included in the contract.
West Chester Township trustees on Feb. 25 approved awarding a construction contract for the Union Center Boulevard project after sealed bids were opened and found to be above the township's original engineer estimate.
Staff said there were two closely priced bids; the low bidder was approximately $73,000 less than the second bid. The project bid came in around $3.297 million and, when contingencies are added, the total approaches $3.6 million—above the township's $3 million budget for the project. Because the bids were within 10% of the engineer's estimate and two bidders were close in price, staff recommended moving forward rather than rebidding, and trustees approved the recommendation.
Staff said the project is time-sensitive: construction is expected to begin in July and finish by March next year, and delaying to rebid would likely push the work past the concert season the township wants to preserve. The township is working with Frost Brown Todd to standardize the contract; staff said the contract will include firm stop/start dates and liquidated damages of $2,000 per day for delays beyond the deadline unless an extension is granted in writing.
Why it matters: The Union Center Boulevard project is a major capital construction effort with a multi-million-dollar price tag and schedule implications for township events and services.
Vote: The motion to approve the contract award passed by roll-call vote; staff will finalize the contract language before execution.
