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Council awards $7.28M streetscape contract and multiple oversight agreements for downtown improvements
Summary
Newton authorized a $7.28 million base contract to Sealand Contractors to complete Phases 3–4 of the downtown streetscape and approved engineering, environmental and electrical oversight contracts to McGill ($489,600), CVET ($37,000) and Southeastern CE ($30,000). Council also approved a tentative award resolution to meet SRF loan requirements.
The Newton City Council on Sept. 5 approved a package of contracts to advance Phases 3 and 4 of the downtown Streetscape project.
Planning Director Randy Williams told council the work for Phases 3 & 4 will extend improvements to College Avenue and First Street, finish sidewalks and street furniture, add pedestrian and bicycle features, and address water, sewer, stormwater and electric infrastructure. After two bid advertisements and consultant review, staff recommended awarding the base contract and five alternates to Sealand Contractors Corp. for $7,282,850.35. City staff also requested council note a 10% contingency (about $728,000) that would be sought later if needed.
Council also approved a $489,600 contract with McGill & Associates for engineering construction oversight, a $37,000 environmental assessment and materials testing contract with Catawba Valley Engineering & Testing (CVET), and a $30,000 electrical oversight contract with Southeastern Consulting Engineers. Williams said a resolution of tentative award is required to satisfy State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan funding requirements through the state Division of Water Infrastructure; council approved the tentative award resolution as part of the item.
Council members on the unanimous vote expressed support for completing the downtown masterplan and noted that selected alternates enhance the overall design. City staff said some materials were pre‑purchased in the prior fiscal year and that final contract costs may adjust accordingly. Construction timing and mobilization details will follow once contracts are fully executed and any necessary SRF paperwork is complete.
