Council authorizes bidding for Bella Breeze Park Phase 1; estimated $8.1 million total cost

The Lincoln City Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2025-019 approving plans and technical specifications and authorizing staff to solicit bids for construction of Bella Breeze Park Phase 1.

Araceli, identified as the project manager, told council the project stems from a master plan begun in September 2023 with Stantec and covers an 18.5-acre site in the Twelve Bridges area. Phase 1 will develop about 7.5 acres and includes a multipurpose central field for soccer/pee-wee football, two playgrounds (ages 2–5 and 5–12) with shade structures, informal turf, covered picnic areas, trees for shade and a gravel parking lot at the park front to reduce cost. “We went with gravel to conserve budget,” Araceli said, and staff added that the parking lot and main field will not be lit in Phase 1 to control cost.

Staff presented a construction-cost estimate for Phase 1 of about $6,500,000; with a 10% contingency and roughly 15% for construction management and inspection, staff’s total Phase 1 estimate is $8,100,000. The city’s park PFE fund balance was reported around $4,000,000. Staff noted that many local development projects have deferred-fee agreements and the fees typically arrive at different stages; they expect more fee revenue tied to ongoing Twelve Bridges construction will be available by the time bids are opened.

Schedule presented to council called for advertising bids the week after approval, an open-bid period through early April, bid opening in April, a possible contract award in May and a roughly 14–16 month construction window if work begins in May 2025 (completion of Phase 1 estimated September 2026). Staff also said conduits and utility stubs for future field lighting, water and fire suppression will be installed during Phase 1 to avoid rework later; grading for a future baseball field in the northwest corner is included to help Phase 2 transition.

Council members asked about materials and parking counts; staff said the chosen preferred concept maximizes stalls at the front of the site. After public comment (one speaker noted the need for ample parking for parents), the council approved the resolution in a roll-call vote.

Why it matters: The vote authorizes the city to move forward into the construction procurement phase for a major neighborhood/regional park in a rapidly growing part of Lincoln; the project’s funding plan depends in part on impact/PFE fees from nearby development.