Rowlett approves engineering design contract for Lake Bend screening wall; construction estimate varies

The Rowlett City Council on Tuesday approved a professional services agreement with DCCM Infrastructure for engineering and geotechnical design of a screening wall along Lake Bend Estates, authorizing payment not to exceed $128,400.

Deputy City Manager Christophe Bauer and DCCM engineer Richard Arvizu explained the design will include survey, geotechnical borings to bedrock, subsurface utility engineering (potholing) as needed, and bid/construction support. Arvizu said deep piers to bedrock and grade beams are part of the recommended standard to resist local soil movement.

DCCM provided an engineer’s opinion of probable construction cost of about $1.4 million (including contingency, utility work, landscaping and minor sidewalk repairs). Staff said they also solicited contractor quotes and received one lower quote (approximately $500,000) that did not include the same geotechnical and utility work and carried only a one‑year warranty.

Council discussed schedule, easement acquisition where walls cross private property, warranty expectations and long‑term lifecycle (DCCM said a well‑designed wall could be expected to last multiple decades), and asked staff to include maintenance forecasting in future CIP plans. The council approved the design contract unanimously and requested the documents needed to take the project to bid.