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Council awards preliminary design contract for Riley Street safety project to meet federal grant obligation
Summary
Council approved a design and engineering services agreement with REY Engineers to complete environmental clearance and 30% preliminary design for the Riley Street safety and sidewalk project so the city can obligate federal construction funds before the grant deadline; staff said REY's full final design fee was about $1.1 million.
The Folsom City Council approved a design and engineering consultant services agreement on Aug. 26 with REY Engineers to advance the Riley Street safety improvement project toward environmental clearance and preliminary design so the city can meet a federal construction obligation deadline.
Ryan Neaves, senior engineer in Public Works, told the council the project originated from the 2020 sidewalk feasibility study and subsequent outreach. The project’s full scope includes new sidewalks along Riley Street from Sutter Street down to East Bidwell, drainage improvements tying into previous Natoma Street work, retaining walls, crossing upgrades and pedestrian connectivity near Sutter Middle School and Bidwell Street. Preliminary construction cost estimates for the full corridor were about $8.5 million.
Neaves said the project has $4 million in congressionally directed spending (CDS) awarded to the city and a local match requirement; the grant requires a construction obligation by Sept. 30, 2026, and staff must submit the complete environmental, right‑of‑way, plans and specifications package to obtain the obligation. The city and Caltrans estimated local agencies must submit final packages by July 2026 to allow time for review.
Given the schedule and funding gap, staff recommended the city contract with REY to complete CEQA/NEPA environmental clearance for the full limits of the project and provide 30% preliminary design for the corridor, with a partial notice to proceed that allows REY to complete final design only for a preliminary phase (Segment 1) expected to be most deliverable within available construction funds. Neaves said REY provided a proposal that included final design for the entire corridor for about $1.1 million; staff proposed a phased approach to get shovel‑ready environmental clearance for the whole corridor, then finalize design for segment(s) that match available funds.
Councilmembers asked about the total design cost and whether staff could negotiate a single‑price contract for full design. Staff confirmed REY’s full final design fee for the entire corridor proposal was roughly $1.1 million and explained the phased approach is intended to allow the city to select the segment or segments that can be constructed with the available grant funding and meet the obligation deadline.
The council approved the agreement and a partial notice to proceed to begin environmental clearance and preliminary design; staff will return with the 30% design and phasing options and, as appropriate, amendments to REY’s contract to complete final design for the selected segment(s).
Ending: Staff said the next steps are environmental clearance, right‑of‑way determination and finalizing the phasing that will allow the city to obligate the $4 million federal/congressional funds by the grant deadline.
