Gadsden council approves Sports Park Phase 5, water‑main relocation and multiple contract changes

The Gadsden City Council on Feb. 3 approved a package of infrastructure actions that included a $2,756,796.44 contract award for Phase 5 of the Gadsden Sports Park, multiple change orders for landscaping and electrical work, and an amendment to engineering services tied to the South 11th Street resurfacing and realignment project.

Councilman Wilson presented the largest item: award of bid No. 3608 to Milam and Company LLC for Phase 5 of the Sports Park, which the council was told is budgeted and will add a signature field, pickleball courts, additional parking, lighting, flagpoles and common-area amenities. Wilson said the project is continuing work begun in earlier phases and that the contract amount matches the budget line for the project.

The council also approved several smaller but related items by voice vote: a $74,480 change order to the city’s 2026 landscape maintenance contract with Thrive Outdoor to complete a large-scale landscaping development at Twin Bridges Golf Course; a $13,000 supplemental agreement with EE Group Inc. for electrical specifications tied to Phase 5 facilities (pickleball courts); and acceptance of a permanent easement from Alabama Power to allow ADA-compliant sidewalks as part of the South 11th Street realignment.

On the South 11th Street project the council authorized amendment No. 5 to an agreement with 3 Notch Group to provide designs to relocate a conflicting 10‑inch water main. Councilman Wilson said there have been multiple amendments to that contract, and that the project is an MPO/ALDOT project funded on an 80/20 basis (ALDOT 80 percent, city 20 percent); he noted the most recent change order increases the city exposure by approximately $4,100 because of the 80/20 split.

Votes at a glance (council action Feb. 3): • Award Bid No. 3608 to Milam and Company LLC for Phase 5, Gadsden Sports Park — adopted (voice vote). • Change Order No. 1 on Bid 3617 with Thrive Outdoor — adopted (voice vote). • Amendment No. 5 to agreement with 3 Notch Group (relocate 10" water main) — adopted (voice vote). • Acceptance of permanent easement from Alabama Power (South 11th Street realignment) — adopted (voice vote). • EE Group supplemental agreement (electrical) — adopted (voice vote). • AT&T special use permit for 309 7th Avenue East (telecom equipment modification) — adopted earlier in meeting (voice vote).

Why this matters: The projects together will advance park amenities, improve pedestrian connectivity with contiguous sidewalks and help complete a resurfacing/realignment of a critical downtown arterial while preserving federal/state funding eligibility. Because the South 11th Street project involves utility relocations and multiple easements, the council noted the cost of changes has risen and that some work is funded through ALDOT’s MPO program.

What’s next: Staff will proceed with contract execution and project scheduling; the city’s public works and engineering departments will coordinate with Alabama Power and 3 Notch Group on easements and water‑main relocation plans, and the mayor’s office will monitor timing so sidewalk completion aligns with the street realignment.