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Board awards $402,000 Lake Shawnee cabins contract after commissioners question cost
Summary
The Board approved a $402,000 contract with Shirley Construction for two cabins at Lake Shawnee Campgrounds; one commissioner voted no, citing sticker shock over per-square-foot costs despite staff saying the project is largely grant- and user-fee-funded.
The Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners voted 2–1 March 12 to award a $402,000 contract to Shirley Construction for two cabins at Lake Shawnee Campgrounds.
Tim Lared, director of Parks and Recreation, described the cabins as the next phase of campground improvements identified in a 2020 master plan and said funding would come from a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks LWCF grant, the campground Revolving Fund and the department’s Building Maintenance Fund. Lared said about 37% of the cost was grant-funded, roughly 57% from user fees, and the remainder from maintenance funds.
Commissioners pressed staff on the per-square-foot cost (Lared estimated about $250 per square foot), whether prefabricated units had been considered, ADA configurations (one cabin ADA, the other not), projected rental rates (discussed at roughly $100 per night in earlier research) and how quickly the cabins could pay back the investment. Financial administrator Jennifer Sauer said the bid solicited responses from the county portal and that bidding for prefab units had not been included in this RFP.
One commissioner repeatedly described the price as unusually high and voted against the contract; two commissioners supported the award, noting the low bid was significantly less than other proposals and that user-fee funding and anticipated rentals could recoup costs over several years. The motion to award the contract passed 2–1.
Parks staff said utilities and site work are in place and that cabins are expected to generate new campground revenue; staff also noted the cabins are designed to be more durable and space-efficient than some prefab alternatives. The Board instructed Parks staff to return with a contract for signature and to finalize rental pricing and operating details.
