Kent Council approves $2.48 million contract for 80 First Avenue South pump station, Woodford drainage work

The Kent City Council voted to award a $2,479,479 contract to Active Construction Inc. for the replacement of the 80 First Avenue South stormwater pump station and drainage improvements on Woodford Avenue North.

Public works director Chad Barron told the council the project replaces an existing pump station in an industrial area near 190th Avenue and 80 First Avenue that “is not able to keep up today” and that the new station will “keep up and make sure that area stays dry.” He said the Woodford work will reroute some flows to the James Street pump station to take advantage of Mill Creek capacity gained after last summer’s reestablishment work. Barron said the project is partially funded through a grant from the King County Flood District.

The city received five bids; Barron reported the low bid from Active Construction Inc. was $2,479,479, compared with an engineer’s estimate of $2.57 million. The council motion to award the contract authorized the mayor to sign necessary documents subject to final terms acceptable to the city attorney and public works director. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; all members present said “aye.”

Why it matters: The pump station and drainage changes are intended to reduce recurring localized flooding in an industrial area and to use added creek capacity to carry runoff away from problem spots on Woodford Avenue North.

Project details and next steps: According to the public works presentation, the work will use an existing outfall at 190th and route stormwater east. Funding includes stormwater utility funds, a King County Flood District grant and a small amount of adjacent water work. Barron recommended award after the close of bids; the council approved the recommendation and authorized contract execution subject to final terms.

Votes at a glance: The motion to award the 80 First Avenue South Stormwater Pump Station and Woodford Avenue North Drainage Improvements Project to Active Construction Inc. for $2,479,479 passed by voice vote with all members present in favor. No roll-call breakdown was recorded in the transcript.

Budget and procurement context: Barron said the tight bid spread versus the engineer’s estimate indicated the plans were well prepared. The presentation noted a mix of stormwater funds and grant funding; exact budget line items and the grant dollar amount were not specified during the presentation.

Timing and implementation: The motion authorized the mayor to sign documents once final terms acceptable to the city attorney and public works director are settled. The council did not announce a construction start date during the meeting.