Orange Park awards lift‑station and Reed Street contracts as CIP work advances

Council approved multiple infrastructure contracts March 3 as part of the capital improvement program (CIP).

Reach Street lift station: staff reported competitive bidding with the lowest qualified bidder, Dannis Utilities, at $217,550. Public Works Director Todd Crocey said the project had been scoped, with no anticipated unforeseen conditions based on prior investigations following two recent hurricanes. Council members asked about the probability of change orders; Crocey said there were no known conditions that would drive change orders and that the project had been planned since 2023 and budgeted in the CIP.

Reed Street utility and roadway project: the council considered bids for reconstruction of water and sewer mains, sidewalk installation, roadway reconstruction and selected McLean Site Solutions as the lowest responsible bidder at $1,437,121.22. Staff explained the project scope will replace aging AC water main and failing sanitary laterals, update services and meters, add sidewalks and improve roadway safety. Public Works estimated a nine‑month contract term but cautioned that coordination with local school schedules and easements could extend work toward a year.

Budget and schedule context: staff noted original engineer estimates were substantially higher, and competitive bidding brought prices in under budget in part due to scope and market conditions. Council members pressed for conservative planning for possible change orders and confirmed project funding was in the CIP.

Outcome: council authorized contracts and directed staff to coordinate construction phasing to minimize community disruption; both motions passed with recorded votes.