City awards Town Common bulkhead contract after $14.3M bid; project includes boardwalk and park upgrades

Greenville City Council on Monday approved a construction contract for the Town Common bulkhead and esplanade project after considering a $14.3375 million bid from Trader Construction Company and related construction administration work.

The contract award passed unanimously, and council also approved a 25 percent contingency to cover unforeseen conditions during construction.

Why it matters: The Town Common bulkhead is a major park and riverfront infrastructure project. City planners said the existing structure is nearly 60 years old and structurally overstressed; the replacement project includes both river protection and public‑facing park improvements intended to preserve access while improving the riverfront for festivals and daily use.

What the contract covers - Construction: staff recommended award to Trader Construction Company for a base bid of $14,337,500 with a contract time of about 400 days. - Contingency and budget: staff proposed a 25% contingency (about $3.5 million) and estimated a total construction budget around $18.5 million, including construction administration. - Design and features: the plan includes roughly 1,600 linear feet of steel sheet pile bulkhead, an elevated boardwalk with overlook platforms, two plazas anchored on either end, rain…