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Board approves Dorothea Pico Nature Center stabilization contracts totaling $83,250
Summary
Supervisors approved a $15,000 architectural contract and a $68,250 construction quote to stabilize floor settlement at the Dorothy Pico Nature Center; contractors will inject foam to fill voids beneath floor slabs and a contingency was set aside.
The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors approved a two‑step plan to stabilize the Dorothy Pico Nature Center after years of settlement and structural uncertainty.
County building‑services staff presented a CMBA Architects contract for $15,000 to provide architectural services for a floor‑stabilization design, and the board approved a single construction quote from Concrete Raising Services for $48,000 plus $8,250 general‑contractor work and a $12,000 contingency (total $68,250). Both approvals passed by unanimous vote.
Why it matters: Structural settlement has worsened over time at the nature center. Staff and CMBA described voids beneath the floor slabs as the most likely immediate cause and presented foam injection (concrete raising) as the least invasive remediation. More extensive solutions — adding piers to stabilize the full building — were described as lengthy, disruptive and likely to damage interior and exterior finishes.
Details of the work: CMBA’s scope is to complete documentation and drawings for floor stabilization. The selected contractor will inject foam at regular intervals under the slab to fill voids and raise the floor. The board approved a $12,000 contingency for unexpected conditions that may require additional material or labor if foam volumes exceed estimates.
Board discussion: Supervisors and staff said they sought multiple bids but received only one responsive construction quote; CMBA representatives said they bid the project competitively and were confident the price was reasonable. Board members asked whether drainage work was included; architects and staff said no additional drainage work was believed necessary after checking roof drains and downspouts that had been diverted in the past.
Ending: Staff said they will monitor the building after stabilization and continue to evaluate whether further structural measures are required. Work will proceed under the approved contracts and contingencies.
