Muskogee approves $96.992 million contract to replace wastewater plant after single responsive bid

The City of Muskogee approved a $96,992,000 bid from Crossland Heavy Contractors on Nov. 24 to replace the municipal wastewater treatment plant, a project required under an Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality consent order.

City staff and consultants told the council the existing plant was damaged in the 2019 flood and that a replacement is necessary to meet regulatory requirements. Olson Engineering explained the facility plan included capacity projections through 2050 and a peaking capability that would allow roughly double the current average flow, with peak handling up to about 16.5 million gallons per day, consultant Sean McCaughn said. “Most wastewater plants, we’re looking at least 25 years into the future,” McCaughn said.

Council packet materials list the Crossland bid at $96,992,000 with about $2.1 million in contingency included in the overall bid price and roughly $6 million in previously expended engineering fees identified separately. Staff said some engineering costs already have been paid from an earlier loan tranche and that the city expects to negotiate at least $1.8 million in reductions with the contractor during contract finalization.

Councilor and staff discussion emphasized why only one responsive bid was received: several contractors cited regional workload and scheduling conflicts, and several local subcontractors and suppliers reported material and equipment price spikes. Local contractor Justin Cook said he had contacted other prime contractors and “we’re all too busy right now,” adding that equipment costs on the job rose more than 20 percent in the past year.

The bid award drew public concern. Ryan Lowe, a resident who spoke during the public comment period, urged caution: “I’m asking you to pause, pump the brakes, and look at this deal,” he said, arguing the council should not rush a project of this size when it had received a single bid. Staff acknowledged the community’s questions and said more detailed, itemized costs would be presented to the public at a December public works meeting.

Council voted to award the contract; roll call was recorded in open session. Staff said the city has authorization from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to borrow up to a higher cap but expects the final loan amount to be lower after negotiated reductions and application of prior loan proceeds toward engineering costs. Construction was estimated at three years from start, with staff aiming to meet ODEQ’s schedule.

What happens next: staff will finalize contract negotiations with Crossland, pursue the finalized loan documents, present a detailed itemization of costs at a December public works meeting, and proceed toward construction pending final paperwork.

Vote and motion: Council approved a motion to accept the Crossland Heavy Contractors bid for the wastewater treatment plant in the amount of $96,992,000. The motion passed by roll call with a unanimous recorded vote of members present.