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Drainage Authority approves control-building and pump-station upgrades for County Ditch 86A
Summary
The Drainage Authority awarded a $33,971.25 contract to Square Construction LLC for the pump-station control building (plus 15% contingency) and a $244,000 contract to Land Pride Construction for pump-station improvements (plus 10% budget for electrical and a $15,001.05 early-completion incentive).
The Nicollet County Drainage Authority approved two contracts to address chronic problems at the County Ditch 86A pump station: a control-building contract to Square Construction LLC and a pump-station improvement contract to Land Pride Construction.
Houston Engineering staff presented competitive quotes for both the control building and the pump-station mechanical and structural repairs. After outreach to building manufacturers and local contractors produced limited responses, staff received a bid from Square Construction LLC for the control-building work and recommended awarding that portion for $33,971.25, with a board-authorized 15% contingency (about $5,096) and authority for staff to sign change orders as needed.
For the pump-station mechanical, piping and discharge improvements, engineers said bids varied widely and costs rose because of evolving design needs and higher steel prices. The board awarded that portion to Land Pride Construction in the amount of about $244,000 and budgeted an additional 10% (about $24,000) to cover anticipated electrical work and change orders. Staff also told the board it offered a $15,001.05 incentive payment to a contractor that can secure long-lead items (the 8-by-8 slide gate) and complete the gate installation by mid-November; the incentive is intended to avoid expensive pump removal in winter.
Engineers explained the design changes were driven by undercutting and settlement around existing discharge pipes. Plans include sheet piling, concrete pipe cradles and spool extensions to protect pipe ends and limit the risk of future failures. Staff recommended contingencies typical for construction projects and said they were confident the contingency amounts would be adequate but noted unknown subsurface conditions could still affect final costs.
The Drainage Authority voted to award both contracts and authorized staff to sign contracts and change orders within the approved contingency amounts. A public commenter raised concerns about previous contractors' work and about erosion and long-term flow; staff and the engineers responded to describe control-of-water plans and measures to protect downstream flows during construction.
Ending: Work timelines depend on material lead times and seasonal water-management windows; staff said they will provide schedules and the contractor's water-control plan and proceed with procurement and construction under the board's authorizations.
