Pullman council awards contracts for sewer rehabilitation and Pullman City Playfields pickleball courts

The Pullman City Council on June 10 awarded two separate construction contracts: the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation 2025 project to Roach Construction Company LLC and construction of pickleball courts at Pullman City Playfields to EXCO LLC.

Public Works staff recommended awarding the sanitary sewer contract (Resolution R‑21‑25) for roughly $906,703.20 to Roach Construction of Genesee, Washington. The project targets approximately 2,000 linear feet of aging clay and concrete sewer main on College Hill and adjacent neighborhoods; staff said approximately 75% of the work will be completed by pipe bursting (installing HDPE pipe) and the remainder by open trench with associated reconnections and manhole work. Staff reviewed two bids and judged the low bid to be responsive and consistent with market prices; they recommended proceeding rather than re‑advertising because the sewer sections are in need of imminent replacement. The council approved Resolution R‑21‑25 by voice vote.

Separately, council approved Resolution R‑22‑25 to award the pickleball courts contract to EXCO LLC for a base bid of $393,791 (with an optional lighting alternative bid of $176,316). The project scope includes removal of unsuitable soils (site required excavation and replacement), construction of concrete courts and fencing, irrigation and landscaping, a walking path and related site work. Staff noted that earlier bids in 2024 had exceeded small‑works thresholds; this spring the project drew eight bids and the low bidder’s base price was near the engineer’s estimate. Because the site requires significant soil replacement, staff expects one modest change order for site access repair and is recommending awarding the base bid only at this time; funds will come from Metropolitan Park District capital improvement funds. Staff estimated substantial completion in approximately 60 calendar days after notice to proceed, with additional curing and finishing time before public opening anticipated in September.

Council members asked about site selection and floodplain considerations. Staff said alternative locations were considered (Sunnyside Park, McGee Park and others), but City Playfields offered existing parking and pedestrian access; the design was reoriented to avoid the 50‑foot ordinary high water mark of the South Fork and the Department of Ecology granted a required variance. The council approved the resolution awarding the pickleball contract by voice vote.