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Garden City council approves design match to advance Glenwood sidewalk project despite $70,000 higher cost estimate
Summary
Council authorized a design match to restart work on the Glenwood sidewalk (Riverside to Glenwood Bridge) and budgeted $25,000 for design; staff said the city’s share of construction may be roughly $70,000 more than earlier estimates and the final terms depend on an agreement with Idaho Transportation Department.
The Garden City Council on Jan. 13 authorized staff to proceed with a design-match agreement for the Glenwood sidewalk project that will connect Riverside Drive to the Glenwood Bridge, even after staff said the city’s eventual construction share may be roughly $70,000 higher than earlier estimates.
The action authorizes the city to pay an initial design match (budgeted at $25,000) so the project can be designed and brought back to the council for 2026 budget planning, Mayor said during the discussion. “It’s gonna cost more on our part than we anticipated by about $70,000, maybe,” the Mayor said.
Council and staff described the cost increase as primarily driven by grade and transition work needed at the bridge approaches. Jenna Thornborough, Development Services director, told the council the additional expense stems from the grade change at the bridge and “some structural work” that may be required to create a safe transition from the bridge down to a sidewalk or path.
Council members pressed staff about how the city would protect itself if partner agencies change their commitments. Council member Rasmussen asked whether the city could “buffer” against increases if leadership at state agencies changes; the Mayor and city staff said they would memorialize the city’s obligations in a written agreement. “Even the 25 is gonna be on the basis of an agreement,” the Mayor said; staff said the draft agreement had not yet been received from the Idaho Transportation Department and would be routed to the city attorney (Charlie) for review when it arrived.
City staff said the project started with a more favorable cost allocation, but leadership changes at a state agency shifted obligations during planning. A staff presentation noted the project would be combined with other nearby work if feasible and that the city is seeking cost reductions from other project participants as well. Council member Jorgensen encouraged staff to verify whether state partners are factoring inflation for future construction or otherwise changing their match assumptions.
Staff recommended advancing design so the city can seek options during budget preparation for fiscal year 2026. Thornborough said the design phase will provide more precise cost estimates and indicated the project will be further discussed with the planning team and project partners before construction commitments are made.
The council voted unanimously to proceed with the design match and to have staff return with contract language and updated estimates before obligating construction funds.
Looking ahead, staff said the project will be combined with other corridor work where practical and that the final construction cost to the city will be defined once the formal agreement and design are complete.
