Finance committee recommends Corbo Landscaping and Ah Cornell & Sons for Fort Washington landscape and drainage; total bids $220,232

Megan Sarsonello told the Finance Committee on Jan. 22 that the district received four bids for the Fort Washington landscaping package and three bids for the drainage work after issuing bid documents Dec. 27.

Sarsonello recommended Corbo Landscaping for the landscaping portion at a total bid price of $164,732 and Ah Cornell & Sons for drainage at $55,500. The combined total for both recommended contracts is $220,232, which staff said is below the district’s budget of roughly $355,000 for the construction-bid portions of both projects. The recommendation includes alternates; staff noted the bidding strategy allows the district to omit alternates if the final work must be pared to fit budget constraints.

The base bid covers approximately 100 trees behind Fort Washington Elementary and areas between the field and the softball field; alternates add additional trees (32 trees around parking lot and other locations) and a three‑year maintenance package. Sarsonello said the landscape architect selected a mix of canopy deciduous trees and evergreens in accordance with the Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission; the current plan includes about 147 trees in total if alternates are included.

A structural engineer analyzed an existing retaining wall about 6 feet from the new drainage line and concluded that excavation for the drainage line “does not affect the structural stability of the existing wall,” a township-requested review that district staff said they will share with the township.

Committee members asked whether planting trees near the retaining wall could affect the wall; staff said the engineer’s review focused on the drainage excavation and that minimal excavation is required for tree planting. The committee expressed support for the recommendation and moved the bids forward to the legislative body for final award.