Waco recommends $16.5 million construction award for Alice Martinez Rodriguez Park; full project budget remains $25.3 million

Jonathan Cook, director of Parks and Recreation, presented final bidding results and a recommended contract award Tuesday for the Alice Martinez Rodriguez Park project, a roughly 30‑acre inclusive, regional park the city plans in south Waco.

Cook told the council the project team received multiple competitive bids and is recommending a construction contract award to Millis Development and Construction in the amount of $16,500,000. Staff said the city had previously allocated $25,300,000 for design and construction of the park; that allocation covers professional services, construction, a contingency and other line items.

Why it matters: The Alice Martinez Rodriguez Park is the city’s single largest parks investment in recent memory and is intended as an all‑abilities regional destination with an inclusive playground, trails, community plaza, pavilion, a pedestrian bridge connecting to the former Floyd Casey stadium site and alternates such as sports courts, an all‑wheels area and a great‑lawn event space.

Project scope, budget and schedule Cook explained the recommended award includes the base bid plus selected alternates for amenities; alternates not included in the recommended package (notably two alternates for track and field upgrades) will be funded from a separate track scope reserve. Staff said a $2,200,000 track scope reserve remains available specifically for the track and field complex so that the city can optimize improvements there without delaying the larger park construction.

Other budget items noted by staff include professional services prior to construction, a 6% contingency on the construction contract and a plan for the city to directly procure playground equipment to realize procurement savings (staff did not provide a firm, finalized dollar amount for that playground procurement reduction at the work session).

Cook said the project team aims to mobilize within four to six weeks and estimated a construction duration of roughly 15 months. The project design includes extensive stakeholder input; Cook said staff met with neighborhood groups and mobility advocates to refine accessibility, circulation and inclusive‑play elements.

Bid selection and procurement Cook described the city’s scoring and interview process that weighted price, schedule and contractor experience. He said the recommended bidder, Millis Development and Construction, has relevant public‑realm experience in North Texas and submitted a proposal consistent with the project cost estimates prepared by the city’s consultants and project manager.

Next steps and council action Staff presented agenda items (5‑76 through 5‑78) related to the park and indicated they will proceed with contractor mobilization and announce a groundbreaking once council acts on the contract award. No formal contract award occurred during the Aug. 19 work session; the recommended award will be before council for formal consideration on the evening agenda.

Ending Council members praised the project as a generational investment and stressed that staff continue outreach to stakeholder groups as construction planning proceeds.