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Canton council approves $7.6 million contract for South Canton Park, OKs construction oversight amendment
Summary
The Canton City Council approved a $7.6 million contract (plus a $500,000 owner’s allowance) for South Canton Park and authorized a TSW contract amendment for construction administration; council voiced concerns about bid spreads and change‑order risk and asked for monthly performance reporting.
The Canton City Council voted Oct. 16 to award the construction contract for South Canton Park to the recommended low bidder, with a contract amount of $7,600,000 and a $500,000 owner’s allowance.
Miss Hooper, a city staff member presenting the item, told the council that "staff is recommending Diversified Construction of Georgia with a contract amount of 7,600,000.0 with a $500,000 owner's allowance." The contract recommendation follows reference checks by staff and TSW engineers.
Council members pressed staff on the wide spread among bids, the potential for change orders, and the low bidder’s experience. One council member said, "I'm uncomfortable with the dollar amount on this park," and asked how the city would avoid large increase orders during construction. Staff replied that they contacted four references (including state and county projects), added contract language to require written justification and credits for rain days, and included an owner’s allowance intended to be equal for all bidders.
Council also confirmed that 2% of capital project costs will be allocated for public art (approximately $152,000) and that part of the owner’s allowance could be used toward that art allocation.
The council approved the park contract by motion and the recorded result announced on the dais as 4–2. Following the award, the council approved a separate motion to amend TSW’s agreement to provide construction administration and oversight for the project; that motion was also recorded as carrying by a 4–2 vote. City staff and the construction management team said they will use monthly pay applications and regular progress reports to monitor schedule and costs and to approve payments.
Funding for the park includes an approximately $2.2 million state grant, SPLOST and impact fees; staff noted a portion of certain site work (a split wall and water tank work) will be charged to water/sewer funds. Council asked staff to add a line item in monthly operational reports tracking forecast vs. actuals for the project and to provide periodic updates to the council and public.
The council’s action authorizes contract execution and construction oversight work; staff will bring procurement documents and a construction schedule into the administrative process before construction begins.
