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Council awards nearly $9 million contract for Felspar–Norma neighborhood improvement project; AHSC and TIRCP funds to pay work
Summary
The City Council voted 5-0 to award an $8.96 million construction contract to Griffith Company for a multi‑phase street, drainage and active‑transportation project funded by AHSC, TIRCP and city impact fees. The project includes a transit station, bike lanes, ADA ramps, solar lighting and a large drainage sump sized for a 100‑year storm.
Ridgecrest — The City Council voted unanimously May 21 to award a construction contract to Griffith Company for an Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC)‑funded neighborhood improvement project covering Felspar, Norma and adjacent streets. The construction contract award is $8,960,155; with contingency, grant match and related engineering amendments the project budget approaches the roughly $9 million package presented to the council.
Project scope and funding Project manager Travis Reid told council members the contract will fund more than a mile and a half of roadway work, full curb, gutter and sidewalk on Felspar and completion of Felspar to Sanders, multiple ADA ramp upgrades, class 2/3/4 bike facilities, solar street and path lighting and a transit transfer station adjacent to Mojave View Apartments. Reid said the project will add pedestrian safety devices (HAWK signals) near Los Flores Elementary School and construct a large storm sump intended to hold a 100‑year storm volume to address flooding first seen during Tropical Storm Hillary.
Funding sources listed in the presentation include AHSC grant funding (approximately $4.01 million plus a recently obtained additional ~$1.1 million), Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) funds for the transit station, traffic impact and drainage impact fees and a small city contingency. Reid told council that some "nice‑to‑have" items (for example, block walls) were removed from the plan after an earlier round of bids returned a low bid around $12.4 million; the revised scope and rebid brought the low responsive construction price to Griffith Company's $8.96 million figure.
Engineering and schedule The council approved an amendment to the city's professional services agreement with Willdan Engineering for $144,708 to provide construction inspection and project administration; Reid said the construction schedule increased from 120 to 180 days in the revised contract and that additional inspection and project management funds reflect that extended schedule and added work.
Council discussion and vote Councilmembers asked whether the project included a future phase to finish the Walmart Canal link; Reid said the Walmart Canal design work and separate funding processes are underway but that the current contract addresses localized depressions and drainage between Felspar, Norma and Las Flores. Councilmember Rajaratnam asked about contingency rounding in the resolution; staff confirmed contingency language on the resolution reflected the intended approximate 3% contingency. The council voted 5-0 to award the construction contract and approve the Willdan amendment.
Community benefits and comments Reid emphasized the project's multi‑benefit design: improved flood control, safer school crossings, active‑transportation facilities and a transit transfer point intended to improve access for residents near the Mojave View apartments. Reid also said the project includes xeriscape and ADA improvements at City Hall funded by AHSC components.
Ending note Work is expected to proceed under the awarded contract; staff will oversee construction, inspection, and grant compliance and return to the council as required for contract change orders or larger scope adjustments.
