Council approves design contract for reconstruction of 300 block of East Bay Drive

The Long Beach City Council on Oct. 7 approved a contract to design and administer reconstruction of the 300 block of East Bay Drive, the primary access road to an assisted-living facility and Mount Sinai’s emergency department.

The council authorized a contract with D & B Engineers and Architects for design and construction-administration services in the amount of $65,890. City staff told the council the city received 10 proposals and D & B was both the highest rated and lowest-cost proposer. The scope covers the 300 block of East Bay Drive, described in the meeting as the stretch from Monroe to Lincoln.

According to staff, design work will begin by the end of the month, with an eight-month design period followed by construction expected about a year from now. City staff said a major complication on the block is an aging water main that runs through front yards; the water main has had two failures and private-service locations were cited as a driver for prioritizing the project. An estimated construction cost cited by staff is about $1.4 million, which is included in the capital plan and was discussed during the meeting.

Council debate included one member saying they did not want to vote on a contract they had not seen; that member (Council member Lester) voted no. President Finn and other members who supported the item said the block is in dire need of repair and staff had explained the project’s ramifications.

The council approved the contract on a roll call; the vote carried with one no vote. Staff said next steps are to kick off design, resolve utility and water-main issues during design, and schedule construction in the capital plan timeline.

Ending: Staff said they will proceed with design work and return to the council as necessary with detailed construction estimates, utility relocation plans and a construction schedule for public review.