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Des Moines to re-advertise Memorial Park flag-triangle project after no timely bids; WSDOT restrictions eased
Summary
A city staff update said no bids met the original deadline for the Memorial Park flag-triangle project; staff attributed that to a late single bid and WSDOT traffic restrictions. The project will be re-advertised with modified work-hour allowances and an estimated all-in cost of about $376,000.
Mike, a staff member, told the Des Moines City Council at its Feb. 27 meeting that the city received no timely bids for the Memorial Park flag-triangle renovation and plans to re-advertise the project.
The project was bid about 10 days before the meeting but produced no qualified bids. "We didn't get any bids. We were very confused by that," Mike said, adding that one contractor submitted a late bid and two others declined to bid because of restrictions imposed by the Washington State Department of Transportation that would have limited when a crane could close lanes to raise and lower the flagpole and remove the original footing.
Mike said the city pushed back with WSDOT and secured looser restrictions that allow daytime lane work with additional flagging and signage. He said the project package would be posted for re-advertisement the next day, with a short bid period, plans to open bids on March 11 and, if the city receives acceptable bids, to return the contract to the council on March 13 in hopes of completing the work before Memorial Day.
On cost, Mike said long-lead items such as lighting fixtures, a flagpole and the Des Moines entry sign have already been ordered. "The last numbers I saw was about 376,000. That's design, equipment, and construction with contingency and taxes and staff," he said. He also said the city had previously spent "about 122" on the project; the transcript did not specify units for that figure.
Council Member Ochsiger asked for the estimate, and Council Member Mahoney, a veteran, praised staff for prioritizing the project and said the Des Moines Memorial Group had been active in shaping signage and other details.
No formal action or vote was taken on the project during the meeting; staff announced the revised advertisement schedule and said they would return to the council if acceptable bids are received.
The council later recessed to an executive session under state law; no action followed the session.
