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Atchison commission rejects single bid, authorizes mayor to request 90‑day CDBG extension for LFM Park work
Summary
Facing a single, higher-than-expected bid for the CDBG-funded LFM Park project, the commission voted to reject the bid and authorized the mayor to request a 90‑day contract extension while staff explores splitting work into multiple bids and acting as general contractor to reduce costs.
City staff told the commission they received only one bid on the repackaged CDBG LFM Park Improvement Project despite efforts to add alternates and split work. Clinton McNamee said the base bid declined from earlier rounds — this rebid’s base was $740,000, with base-plus-alternates reaching $924,000 — but that further cost savings were possible by separating the splash pad, concrete flatwork, shelter and playground into distinct contracts and having city crews handle demolition and some utility connections.
"We repackaged the project bid with more options for build alternates, in hopes that we'd be able to scope together a project more in line with our budget," McNamee said, noting the earlier base was about $896,000 and that freight/shipping estimates for a picnic shelter alone were unusually high in the current bid package.
Commissioners questioned square footage, contractor interest and the extra workload on city staff if the city acted as general contractor. Vice Mayor Wilcox said he supported returning more detailed bids to local contractors and urged staff to reach out to local firms; McNamee replied staff would extend outreach. Commissioners also discussed potential options such as hiring a construction manager and pursuing alternates like a timed splash-pad control to lower costs.
Following the discussion, Commissioner Murphy moved to reject the bid and authorize the mayor to sign a letter requesting a 90‑day extension from KDOC on the contract deadline so staff can pursue the split-bid strategy; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will send the mayor’s extension request to KDOC, pursue additional bidding strategies splitting the project into component bids, and report back to the commission on contractor interest and a recommended procurement approach. Any major contract award or work over the commission’s thresholds will be returned for formal action.
