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City weighing dry vs. wet design after Waller Detention Pond bids exceed budget
Summary
Bids for the Waller Detention Pond drainage project came in higher than budgeted; city staff presented options to commissioners to proceed with a dry detention at the $400,000 budget or a wet detention that would raise the total to about $1 million.
City staff told the Mayor and Board of Commissioners at a study session that bids for the Waller Detention Pond drainage project exceeded the budgeted amount and presented two options: a base dry detention estimated at $400,000, or a wet detention option that would raise the total project cost to about $1,000,000.
A staff presenter described the base bid as a dry detention priced at $400,000 and an alternate wet-detention option at $600,000, which together would total approximately $1,000,000. The wet option requires deeper excavation—about 8.5 additional feet beyond the base depth—so the wet feature would be deeper and would include mechanical circulation and additional structural work to avoid a “mucky” pond, the presenter said.
Why it matters: the project is located at Cleveland and Chestnut and is intended to provide relief drainage to Boggy Creek and to serve new commercial development at the intersection. Staff noted a tight budget and asked for commissioner guidance; one commissioner suggested starting with the dry detention and completing a wet conversion later if additional funds become available.
Other details discussed: the base dry detention depth was described as 4.5 feet; converting to a wet detention would require digging roughly eight more feet and adding a concrete wrap and spillway to manage water and reduce long-term maintenance. Staff said contractors were given options for handling excavated dirt; local reuse was possible — staff referenced a nearby landowner, Gene Anderson, as a potential receiver of fill, and identified MK Excavation (a Stillwater firm) among bidders.
Commissioners raised priorities against other needs, with one noting dredging needs at Meadowlake. Staff recommended awarding the project as dry detention now so the relief is installed and then consider upgrades later if funding permits. No formal award was made at the study session; staff said they would return to the commission for a contract award at the next meeting.
