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Council approves contract award for Safe Routes to School Phase 2 at Lincoln Elementary; contract low bid $474,000
Summary
As part of the consent agenda the council authorized the city manager to enter a contract for Safe Routes to School Phase 2 (TR6410) to complete sidewalk and ADA improvements around Lincoln Elementary; lowest responsive bid was $474,000 and the state grant requires project completion by Dec. 31, 2025.
The Grants Pass City Council approved, as part of the consent agenda on Sept. 17, a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a construction contract for the Safe Routes to School Phase 2 project at Lincoln Elementary School (project TR6410). The council adopted the consent agenda by roll call and the resolution was included in that package.
Wade, a city staff member overseeing the project, summarized the history: the city received a state Safe Routes to School construction grant (award date in 2020) that originally supported pedestrian improvements around Lincoln Elementary. Phase 1 work completed frontage improvements, raised pedestrian crossings and ADA infrastructure. Phase 2 includes sidewalk infill on Riddle and Heffley streets, ADA ramp upgrades on Ninth Street and Memorial Drive and other items identified in the original grant application. "Phase 2 has to be done by 12/31/2025," Wade said, explaining the grant timeline and the city's obligation to complete the work or risk breaching the grant agreement.
The city received five responsive bids on Aug. 28, 2025; the lowest responsive bidder was Freedom Builders LLC at $474,000. Staff told council the capital project account TR6410 has adequate funding (including approximately $770,000 remaining for construction and change orders) to award the contract and cover internal engineering costs. Wade also explained a portion of the work addressed an undersized water line that needed replacement as part of the curb/gutter/sidewalk work; the water-line cost was shared between the water fund and the project where appropriate.
Council discussion confirmed the project was competitively awarded originally in 2020 and that escalating construction costs after the COVID-19 pandemic consumed more grant funds than anticipated during phase 1, leaving the city to cover the remaining phase 2 costs with local project funds. Councilor Indra and others asked whether the city had alternatives; staff said returning grant funds or declining to complete the scope could risk repayment obligations and reduced competitiveness in future grant applications.
The consent agenda (moved by Councilor Victoria and seconded by Councilor Kathleen) passed on a 7-0 roll-call vote, which included the authorization for the city manager to sign the Phase 2 contract. Staff will proceed with contract execution and construction scheduling to meet the state deadline.
Votes at a glance: Resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a contract for Safe Routes to School Phase 2, TR6410 (lowest responsive bid: Freedom Builders LLC $474,000) Passed as part of consent agenda 7-0.
