Vienna council awards $84,000 contract to construct two pedestrian bridges at Jackson Park

The Vienna City Council on April 24 approved an $84,000 contract with Jimmy Harper Construction to build two pedestrian bridges at Jackson Park and authorized using a recent donor gift to fund the work.

Council members voted to accept the low sealed bid for the project and to authorize the mayor—s designee to apply $84,000 donated to the city toward the bridge work. The council—s budget and finance committee recommended the bid and funding source after reviewing three sealed proposals opened April 4.

The recommendation to award the contract to Jimmy Harper Construction followed higher bids from United Construction and Faras Welding. During discussion Council members and staff said price differences appeared driven in part by materials and specified construction approaches; staff said they were satisfied Harper could deliver the scope the city requested.

Council member discussion also acknowledged the donor who provided the gift the council authorized. The resolution read in the meeting identified the funds as coming from "the estate of James Bittcheff" and stated the donor—s intent was to support projects like park improvements.

Outcome and next steps: the council approved the bid award and passed a separate resolution authorizing the use of the $84,000 donation to pay for the bridges. City staff said the project funding will be drawn from the designated donation line and that the city will proceed with contractor scheduling and permitting.

Votes at the meeting were taken by voice/hand; the motion to accept the bid and the motion to authorize the donation both passed unanimously as recorded in the meeting minutes. The meeting transcript does not record a roll-call tally in numbers.