Elephant Park bids to be split into four packages; splash‑pad, shelter and playground work out to bid

City staff told the commission they have divided the Elephant Park project into four bid packages — splash pad, building/shelter, lights and basketball court, and playground equipment — to encourage more competitive pricing and wider contractor interest.

City Manager Mark Westoff said the packages "were separated into 4 parts... to try to encourage some competitive bids on different aspects of the project. So, yes, the splash pad is 1 part. There's the Building. Lights on the basketball court. There's the building and the pad that it's going on, and there's the playground equipment." He said bids will be published this week and staff will contact contractors; openings are scheduled for Feb. 11.

Westoff said contractors may propose equivalents to specified products in the bid documents and the city will judge whether alternatives are acceptable. He noted staff initially proposed five categories but the administering agency for the grant (CDIG administration folks) consolidated to four categories and that splitting the package will not change the city's match requirement for the grant.

Commissioners discussed alternatives — including lower‑cost splash pad designs and the possibility of suppliers bidding only certain components — and mentioned one supplier in St. Joseph as a potential source. A commissioner also suggested solar‑panel‑topped shelters as an idea for future consideration. Westoff said the city will reach out to manufacturers and publish the bid package to encourage competition.

Bids for the Elephant Park project are expected to be publicly posted this week with a bid opening set for Feb. 11. City staff said they will present bid results at a subsequent meeting.