Council awards Ballinger Park viewing platform contract and approves $1.04 million budget adjustment
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Summary
Mountlake Terrace awarded Sunset Grill Construction the contract to build a new viewing platform and trails at Ballinger Park and approved a $1,035,593 budget amendment to close a funding gap, citing grant timing and permit windows as reasons to proceed now.
The Mountlake Terrace City Council on June 5 authorized a construction contract with Sunset Grill Construction LLC and approved a budget adjustment to complete the Ballinger Park viewing platform and west‑side trails project.
The council voted unanimously to amend the Ballinger project budget by $1,035,593 — bringing the project total to $2,583,405 — and to award the construction contract for up to $2,211,902.63 after staff reported that three bids came in over the original estimate.
Why it matters: Ballinger Park, the city’s 55‑acre regional park developed from a former golf course, already has completed waterfront improvements, a new floating dock and a universally accessible playground in recent years. The viewing platform and trail work will extend new accessible connections on the park’s west side, add an entry portal from the Interurban Trail and construct a curved shoreline platform that extends roughly 20 feet over the water.
Parks Project Manager Donnell Dio summarized the work: “The project focuses to install trail improvements and a viewing platform on the west side of the park.” He told the council that the lowest responsive bidder was Sunset Grill Construction at just over $2.2 million and that the city had already invested approximately $400,000 in design and permitting.
Staff said permitting required coordination with multiple state and federal agencies — including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Ecology — and emphasized a firm construction window for in‑water work that begins in mid‑July. Project representatives also noted that some grant funds supporting Ballinger are time‑limited and could be at risk if the city delayed construction and permit closeouts.
To close the gap between the low bid and available funds, staff proposed a mix of sources: unspent capital funds from completed projects, park impact fees and reallocation of CIP balances from projects not moving forward (including the Evergreen project). Parks Director Jeff Betts said the recommended approach would avoid losing secured grant funds and prevent permit expirations.
Council discussion focused on the budget‑gap options and the risk of rebidding. Staff said rebidding in 2026 could jeopardize grant commitments and likely would not lower construction prices. Councilmember Salmore (Council member Salmore) expressed appreciation for the work and noted the project’s alignment with the Ballinger Park master plan.
The motion to amend the project budget and award the contract passed 7–0. City staff said construction would begin after contract execution and a notice to proceed, with work timed to meet in‑water restrictions and seasonal windows.
What’s next: Staff will execute the contract, issue a notice to proceed, and publish project timelines and milestone updates. The project will also be subject to grant reporting and permit‑compliance requirements.
