Parker council OKs competitive-proposal process to prequalify contractors for Salisbury Regional Park expansion

The Town of Parker voted to authorize a competitive proposal procurement process to prequalify contractors for the Salisbury Regional Park north expansion.

Staff explained Salisbury Regional Park is Parker’s largest park and the north expansion exceeds 80 acres, with multiple phases and complex site requirements including floodplain work, bridges and regional infrastructure. Because of the project’s scale and specialized construction needs, staff recommended soliciting statements of qualifications (RFQs) to create a shortlist of experienced general contractors and then request competitive bids from that prequalified pool once the council approves the site's final plan.

Chris Hudson, presenting for staff, said the approach has been used on a handful of large municipal projects in Parker’s recent history — town hall expansion, downtown streetscape (2008), certain design-build and construction-manager/general-contractor (CMGC) projects — and that prequalification helps ensure bidders have demonstrated relevant experience for complex park work. Hudson said the RFQ and shortlist would be evaluated by staff across departments, and that the approach still yields competitive pricing because subcontract trades bid the work under the selected general contractor.

Council members expressed support, noting the method should reduce construction disruptions for existing park users and improve the town’s ability to manage phasing and specialty scope. The resolution (No. 25-029) passed unanimously. Staff will issue an RFQ for general contractors experienced in large park projects, evaluate submissions and return to council with a short list before requesting competitive bids tied to an approved site plan and phasing schedule.