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Des Moines rejects marina‑steps bids; council briefed on value‑engineering, delay and repackage options
Summary
After two responsive bids far above the engineer's estimate, staff recommended rejecting bids for the Des Moines Marina Steps project and presented three possible paths: value‑engineer and rebid; delay and pursue additional funding; or reframe the project as part of a longer downtown strategy.
The Des Moines City Council was briefed on Jan. 9 on options for the Des Moines Marina Steps after the city opened bids in November and received two responsive proposals that exceeded the engineer's construction estimate by roughly $3.6 million to $4.3 million.
What happened: Public Works Director Mike Slevin told the council the engineer’s construction estimate was $8,167,000 but the two responsive bids arrived at $11.741 million and $12.512 million. Based on that gap, staff recommended rejecting all bids and exploring alternatives.
Why it matters: The Marina Steps were planned as a prominent public‑realm link from 23rd Street down to the marina with overlooks, a park and stormwater…
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