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Council awards Independence Park restroom and picnic shelter contract despite shortfall; MMU to fund water line
Summary
The council approved awarding a construction contract for a new restroom and picnic pavilion at Independence Park to a local bidder; the project exceeds the DNR grant by about $18,000 after adjustments and Marshall Municipal Utilities agreed to pay for the park water line.
The Marshall City Council voted to award the contract to construct a new restroom and picnic pavilion at Independence Park and authorized staff to proceed despite a modest funding shortfall.
Preston Sandrude of the Parks Department recommended awarding the construction contract to Bladholme Construction Inc. (Marshall), the low bidder for the project, and summarized the grant and procurement timeline. Sandrude said the city applied for and was awarded a Minnesota DNR Outdoor Recreation grant in 2023 but did not receive the final state contract until July 2024, delaying the bid schedule. The city solicited bids from three local general contractors; the shelter kit had already been purchased and stored pending construction.
Sandrude told the council he had updated cost figures after discussions with Marshall Municipal Utilities and reported that MMU would cover the park water-line cost (about $17,000), reducing the city’s net shortfall. Removing prevailing-wage demolition from the main contract would save additional costs and cut the shortfall from about $36,000 to roughly $18,000. "MMU would pick up the share of doing the water line for the park," Sandrude said. "That takes care of that 17‑ish thousand dollars." He recommended moving forward because the DNR grant expires this year and the shelter kit is already on-site.
Councilmembers emphasized minimizing park disruption and scheduling construction in off-peak park months; the contractor indicated a proposed start around May 1 with a potential availability of the new shelter by early June and substantial completion for the restroom by Oct. 1.
Councilmember Jim moved to approve awarding the bid and Councilmember Craig seconded. Council discussion noted the facility’s deteriorated condition and liability concerns. The motion passed.
Ending: With award approved and MMU funding the water line, Parks staff will coordinate timing to limit disruption, proceed with contract documents and return with final financing details and a construction schedule for council records.
