Pasco PFD design committee readies guaranteed maximum price and flags potential betterments, including slide options and enhanced access control

The Pasco Public Facilities District’s design and construction committee reported steady progress on the aquatic and related facilities and told the board staff expects to present a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) amendment for construction at the next board meeting.

Committee members said site grading is underway and that the project is in the city’s permit‑review process. Owner’s representative Keith Gardner described visible site changes and encouraged board members to make site visits, noting that recent cuts in grades reveal driveway entries and parking locations. Gardner said the design-builder is finalizing a full GMP and that the board will be asked to approve a GMP amendment at the next meeting so construction can continue without delay.

Design and construction members cautioned that once the GMP is finalized there may be an appropriate—time sensitive—opportunity to add betterments. Committee examples included: - Enhanced access control and camera systems, pending a meeting with city operations to determine appropriate levels of control; - Translucent panels for water slides (a visual “wow” feature) that must be ordered after GMP sign-off; and - “Make-ready” work: conduits, increased mechanical room size and other site groundwork that would reduce the cost to add an outdoor slide tower or a digital monument sign later if the board chooses to build those features.

Committee members said they expect to provide a list of potential betterments and supporting information (estimated costs, effects on revenue and operations) ahead of the meeting but warned the final GMP negotiations may remain open until the board packet is published, meaning a small number of items may not be finalized until the meeting. Board members asked staff to provide the betterment materials as early as possible—ideally several days before the meeting—to allow adequate review.

The committee also discussed pedestrian and vehicular safety at the site. Project staff reviewed driveway geometry, marked crosswalks, a drop-off lane with bollards and truncated domes (ADA tactile indicators), pavement markings and landscaping intended to funnel pedestrians to designated crossings. Staff said speed humps were omitted because they affect drainage and snow removal; instead, the design narrows drive lanes at the site entrance as a passive traffic-calming measure. Staff noted that the Road 108 public project will include a rapid‑flashing beacon pedestrian crossing adjacent to the transit stop. Board members suggested additional safety options, such as localized flashing beacons at internal crosswalks and coordination with Ben Franklin Transit regarding bus stop design; staff agreed to evaluate functional and cost implications.

The committee will forward any betterment recommendations to the Budget and Finance Committee for financial review before they are presented to the full board with the GMP amendment.

Owner’s representative Keith Gardner invited board members to view the active site and said, "If you wanna drive by and see some dirt being moved, you can do it."