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Watertown awards $750,000 contract to remodel wolf exhibit at Bramble Park Zoo
Summary
The council approved a $750,000 bid award to Grama Construction for improvements to the Bramble Park Zoo wolf exhibit, with $300,000 city funds and $450,000 from the Lake Area Zoological Society and donations.
The City of Watertown on June 2 approved a contract award of $750,000 to Grama Construction Company for improvements to the wolf exhibit at Bramble Park Zoo. City engineer Justin Peterson told the council five bids were received and that the recommended contractor reduced scope to deliver a $750,000 contract price after scope adjustments and added outside funding.
City staff said the project will enlarge the building, improve public and animal safety in the yard and enhance the zoo’s education programming. A zoo representative, identified as Stacy, described the goals: “We’re looking to remodel our current wolf habitat. So we’re gonna make the building bigger. We’re gonna make the yard safer, and then we’re gonna make it so it’s better for our education program.”
Councilman Tupper moved the award; Councilman Peters seconded. The council conducted a voice vote and later a roll call; the motion carried with all council members voting in favor on the tally reported by Finance Officer Bob Zine. Peterson told the council the city will contribute $300,000 and the Lake Area Zoological Society plus public donations are supplying the remaining $450,000.
Peterson said the bids initially came in higher than the recommended contract; the selected bidder agreed to scope adjustments that brought the price down to the recommended amount. The city engineer and zoo staff stood by for questions during the hearing.
The contract award authorizes the city to proceed with the construction contract and project administration; the council did not attach further conditions during the meeting.
