Town seeks tentative award for East Center Avenue stormwater project; LASI grant expected to cover most costs

Ashton Walker, engineering services manager, asked the board to adopt a tentative award of a construction contract to Blythe Development Company for the East Center Avenue stormwater improvement project with an amount “not to exceed $4,298,922.50,” contingent on final approval to construct by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Division of Water Infrastructure.

Walker described the work as a package of stormwater, drainage and related public‑infrastructure improvements along East Center Avenue between Church Street and Statesville Avenue. Key elements include culvert rehabilitation/lining under East Center Avenue, added storm pipe and structures, floodplain benching and streambank stabilization, waterline replacement (upgrading an old 6‑inch cast iron main to 8 inches), a 12‑foot multi‑use path linking Liberty Park to Willow Valley Park, separated bicycle lanes on East Center and an enhanced pedestrian crossing. The scope also includes demolition of an abandoned house at 121 Elm Street where storm drainage is within a few feet of the structure.

Walker said the project completes work recommended by the town’s 2016 stormwater master plan and reflects interdisciplinary coordination because the town is taking the opportunity to fix the full corridor while the street is being excavated. He said the current culvert is in poor condition and a 2022 structural analysis showed the culvert must be opened rather than replaced in place.

On procurement and funding, Walker said the town split the bid into a base bid and two add‑alternates (the greenway and the culvert lining on McClellan Avenue). The low bid for the package came in significantly lower than the construction estimate. Walker said the town applied for and was awarded a LASI (Local Assistance for Stormwater Infrastructure investment) grant — described in staff materials as ARPA money — providing $3,900,000 for construction; an additional $1,500,000 ARPA earmark and town general fund set‑asides are intended to cover non‑eligible costs such as the greenway element.

Walker said the contractor is limited by grant rules from including contract contingencies directly in the construction contract; the town has money set aside for unexpected costs but would need a board amendment to spend additional funds beyond the award. Contract duration in the presentation was 530 days; staff said the town will coordinate timing with the school district and indicated the major closure of East Center Avenue could be limited to roughly 120 days, preferably when school is out to reduce disruption. Walker said planned dewatering and pump‑around methods are included in the construction specifications to handle creek flow while the culvert is opened.

Staff noted the tentative award language is required by DEQ because final authorization to construct comes from that agency for grant‑funded projects. Board members asked staff to quantify effects on downstream neighborhoods; Walker said the work should provide an incremental positive effect for nearby neighborhoods through floodplain benching and stormwater treatment features but would not solve all drainage problems in Eastern Heights and Willow Valley because some system elements are already in the floodplain and cannot be upsized under the current scope. Walker said the tentative award will be finalized following DEQ authorization to construct and that staff would provide the bid tabulation and related documents to commissioners ahead of the formal action.