The University City Council voted Aug. 11 to authorize a $71,000 contract with Navigate Building Solutions to act as the city’s owner’s representative for the design and reconstruction of the Ruth Park Golf Course driving range. The contract, to be paid from the city’s Capital Improvement Fund, covers procurement, preconstruction and construction-phase services, with staff estimating roughly 8 months for procurement and design and about 5 months for construction.
The decision follows years of intermittent closures and erosion problems on the driving range after importation of fill from a private development. Deputy City Manager Brooke Smith told council that earlier material placed on the range was not properly graded or elevated and that the site requires rework so the problem does not recur. "We don't really have staff that can focus 100% on this project," Smith said, explaining the need for an outside project manager.
Navigate representatives said the schedule reflects time required for regulatory review and design procurement. Craig Schiller of Navigate said the project will likely require a full Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) review because bio-basins will need to be reworked; he estimated the MSD process alone could take about six months. Schiller described Navigate’s role as procuring a design team under applicable state procurement statutes, managing bid processes, overseeing construction, doing quality assurance, and mitigating risks on the city’s behalf.
Council members and public speakers pressed for faster timelines and clearer revenue accounting. Council member Fuller asked whether post-construction services were included; Deputy City Manager Smith said post-construction services were not in the current task order and that the city could not guarantee there would be no further delays, though staff said the project was a high priority. Longtime golfer Jim Rolfing told council he believed the driving range historically generated roughly $350,000 in gross revenue per year and said extended closures had cost the city significant income, a figure staff did not confirm at the meeting.
Council member Clay moved approval of the contract; Council member Fuller seconded. The motion carried by voice vote, with the clerk recording the ayes. No amendments to the task order were approved at the meeting.
Pending tasks identified by staff include completion of title work, appraisals and environmental reviews once a project manager and design team are engaged. Staff and Navigate said they will seek opportunities to leverage prior work where appropriate. Navigational and MSD review timelines make the earliest optimistic completion date about 13 months from authorization, assuming no permitting or procurement setbacks.