The Moscow City Council on Dec. 2 awarded a construction contract for a new city shop campus after prolonged discussion about cost increases and project scope.

Cody Riddle, who presented the project on behalf of city staff, described long-standing deficiencies at the existing shop and said the facility is critical for city services including fleet maintenance, streets, stormwater and parks. “The facility was constructed in 1968,” Riddle said, calling the building''s condition “poor” and outlining persistent problems including inadequate restrooms, unsafe workspaces and repeated flooding during major weather events.

Design work by Lombard Conrad Architects produced a base bid for an 18,800-square-foot building. Bids opened in November and the lowest responsive bid, from Welland's General Contractors, was $7,248,000; the city''s engineer estimate had been about $6,100,000. Riddle said the city received seven bids and three of the lower bids clustered fairly close, giving staff confidence the low bid reflected the current market.

Riddle recommended awarding the base bid plus two alternates (a dry materials storage shed and recladding/reroofing of the existing shop building) and requested authorization for staff to approve change orders not exceeding 10% of the contract amount. He said the project would be funded from a combination of general capital, water, sewer and storm funds and a remaining ARPA balance of approximately $3.6 million; staff said no additional property-tax levy will be required.

Councilors pressed staff on cost escalation risk and flood mitigation. Councilor Drew asked whether the new building and site grading would prevent historic flood flows from moving through the new shop; Riddle and the city''s design team said the new finished-floor elevations will be set higher and a curb and swale will be added to divert water around the building, while noting that larger Hog Creek capacity projects remain a long-term need.

Several councilors expressed concern about the bid exceeding the architect''s estimate by about 18 percent. Councilor Julia voted no on the contract, citing the size of the cost overrun; other councilors said delaying a contract and rebidding in hopes of lower prices could raise the price further. Councilor Haley moved to accept the low bid and award the contract; after a second the motion carried on a roll-call vote (yes: Haley, Drew, Sandra, Bryce and Acting Mayor Gina; no: Julia).

Riddle estimated construction would begin in spring and take about a year. Staff said including the alternates would produce economies of scale by allowing the same contractor and crews to address roofing and cladding on both new and existing buildings while the contractor is mobilized on site.

The council approved the contract award and authorized staff to execute change orders up to 10 percent of the contract amount.