Council approves design-build contract with SDI LLC for six-street water-main replacement

The Belton City Council on Aug. 12 approved a resolution awarding a design-build contract to SDI LLC to replace water mains on six streets: Hawthorne, Berry, Redbud, Lacey, Pacific and Prairie.

City staff described the project as a departure from the city’s typical design-then-bid approach. Under design-build, contractors assemble consultant and construction teams to produce a design for city review and Missouri DNR approval, then proceed to construction. Staff said the delivery method shortens delivery time by combining steps and letting the selected team refine design and schedule as they plan construction.

Staff briefed council on the procurement: the city issued a request for qualifications, received five proposals, interviewed three teams and conducted site visits. Staff reported selecting SDI based on a combination of price, schedule and method, saying the company offered the best value. “We selected SDI because they had the best price. They had the actually, the best schedule, and, they had the same basic method that everybody's gonna try to do, which is go through as much of the green space as possible,” staff said.

Staff said the project should take about six months depending on weather. City staff emphasized contractors are required to restore streets and not leave prolonged pavement or ditch damage; contractors will restore work zones as they finish segments rather than open multiple streets simultaneously.

Council approved Resolution 2025-63 authorizing the contract. Staff said the work is budgeted and that references provided by SDI showed experience with similar projects in other cities.

Ending: Construction is expected to begin after contract finalization and Missouri DNR approvals; staff will monitor schedule and community restoration obligations.