Council awards Seventh Street SW reconstruction contract; work cost-shared with SEFCO

At the July 28 council meeting, city staff recommended awarding the rebid for the Seventh Street Southwest Reconstruction Project to the low bidder and the council approved the contract award unanimously, 7-0. Staff said the project was rebid after issues with the prime contractor on the first solicitation and the new specifications included an improved concrete curing method.

Public works staff reported the low bid received was from Wheeler Construction at about $326,338; Drake Companies’ bid was roughly $300 higher and a third bidder submitted a bid about $30,000 above that. Staff described the difference between the top two bids as unusually narrow. The contract is a relatively short one—35 calendar days—and staff said construction would likely occur in August and be completed in September, noting work will impact school-start traffic.

The project will be cost-shared with SEFCO; staff said the city and SEFCO will split the cost roughly 50/50. Staff also told the council that temporary patching crews had reopened the street to traffic after potholes became a hazard; those temporary repairs will be removed when the reconstruction work begins. Staff said the design tweaks include slightly widening some sections to improve truck turning radii and to maintain access to nearby water mains.

Councilmembers asked staff to ensure the contractor coordinates with nearby schools to reduce safety and congestion impacts during construction; staff said they had already reached out to principals and district staff and would continue coordinating schedule and signage with the contractor.

(Ending) The council authorized the city manager to execute the contract after contractor bonding and document finalization; work is scheduled to proceed as bonds and paperwork are completed, with completion expected in September under the 35-day contract.