Flagstaff council approves $5.4 million amendment for Spruce Wash channel work; program nears $29.8 million

The Flagstaff City Council on May 20 approved the sixth contract amendment (GMP 6) to the Spruce Wash Channel improvements program, adding $5.4 million for construction work including the Arroyo Seco to Dorothy channel, the Arroyo Seco inlet, the Killip inlet and demolition/cleanup of the Martinez property.

The amendment to the construction-manager-at-risk contract with Eagle Mountain Construction raises the cumulative program value to about $29.8 million, project staff said, and maintains a contract duration of 1,025 calendar days. City engineering staff said two of the amendment’s components — the Martinez property demolition/cleanup and the Killip outlet work — are eligible for external grant funding, including a FEMA/DEMA grant and an Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Infrastructure Program grant.

City engineering division project manager Trevor Henry summarized the work areas and schedule and told council the team expects to present a final amendment (Amendment 7) addressing the southernmost Killip outlet to council in June. Henry said construction is currently under way on segments north of Cedar Avenue and crews will move south of Cedar for the new amendment’s work. He described public outreach efforts including council briefings, community meetings, weekly e-newsletters and a project website with a hotline.

Council members asked about anticipated traffic impacts on Cedar Avenue and whether side streets would be closed. Henry said once the Cedar Crossing work is complete it should reduce congestion on Cedar and that the southward work included in Amendment 6 should not cause major Cedar Avenue traffic disruptions. He said the contractor does not anticipate closing Sunnyside surface streets, though temporary signs and equipment mobilizations are possible.

In presenting the financial summary, staff showed prior GMPs and change orders and reported that GMP 1–5 plus change orders totaled about $24.4 million; adding GMP 6 brings the program to roughly $29.8 million. Henry said the team expects to substantially complete the program next summer. The council voted to approve the sixth amendment, authorize an owner’s contingency and authorize the city manager to execute the necessary documents.

Discussion vs. decision: staff provided project scope, schedule, funding sources and community outreach (discussion). Council asked clarifying questions about traffic and schedule (directional). The formal action authorized staff to sign the amendment and fund contingency (decision: approved).

Ending: Staff reiterated the program schedule and that a final amendment for the Killip outlet is expected to return to council in June.