Boulder City council approves Nevada Way reconstruction, selects option 2A and awards bid

Boulder City’s council voted unanimously to proceed with option 2A for the Nevada Way reconstruction, approving a staff-recommended bid package and construction management services during its June meeting.

Public Works Director Gary Poindexter told the council staff recommends awarding the construction contract to Unicon LLC “in the amount not to exceed $2,645,795” and entering a $180,650 agreement with Wilson Engineering for construction management. He said option 2A prioritizes safety, accessibility and circulation while preserving community character, adding dedicated walkways that meet current public-right-of-way accessibility guidelines and replacing aging underground infrastructure.

“By doing these improvements while the street is under construction, it saves us money,” Poindexter said, noting the project will replace more than 50-year-old water services, install 21 new backflow-prevention devices and upgrade sidewalks and ADA ramps.

Council members and residents pressed staff for technical details before the vote, asking about parking-angle trade-offs, parking counts and implications for utilities. Poindexter said the project would change the corridor’s parking configuration: the current overall count (106 spaces, 103 regular) would increase to 135 under option 2A (with motorcycle parking rising from 0 to 35) and handicap spaces increasing from 3 to 6, while retaining a 24-foot emergency-vehicle clearance.

Residents who testified before the vote largely supported improved pedestrian access but urged stronger enforcement to prevent businesses from encroaching into public walkways. Ray Turner, a 25-year resident, asked the council to create “a 48-inch ADA-compliant pathway under the porticoes” so disabled and mobility-challenged residents can pass crowded outdoor seating areas comfortably. Multiple speakers — including members of the Boulder City Disability Access Group — said the project’s success depends on consistent code enforcement.

Several residents also urged preserving shaded historic porticoes and adding trees where feasible. Brynn Delormier said the shaded porticoes “set us apart” from neighboring cities and asked council to protect walkability and historic character.

Council discussion covered design-build questions and change-order flexibility. Poindexter said the contract is not a design-build procurement; the city has designs in hand and any construction-period adjustments would be handled through standard change orders and weekly construction meetings.

After discussion, council member (speaker 19) moved to approve option 2A and resolution 7976 and the motion was seconded. The council approved resolution 7976 unanimously. The council then moved and unanimously approved resolution 7977.

The approved package authorizes the bid award to Unicon LLC and the Wilson Engineering agreement and allows staff to negotiate final change orders reflecting the chosen option. Council members emphasized follow-up items: revised encroachment-permit code language to address sidewalk encroachment and a commitment to keep the council informed of construction changes and utility verifications.

Next steps: staff will finalize contract execution with the selected contractor, coordinate construction management with Wilson Engineering and bring proposed encroachment-code revisions to the council for future review.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 7976 (award Nevada Way reconstruction to Unicon LLC; accept Option 2A): moved by speaker 19, seconded by speaker 6; outcome: approved unanimously. - Resolution 7977 (related project authorization): moved by speaker 6, seconded by speaker 19; outcome: approved unanimously.

Funding and contracts

- Construction bid: Unicon LLC, not to exceed $2,645,795 (resolution language as presented by staff). - Construction-management agreement: Wilson Engineering, $180,650.

Community concerns that remain

Residents and council members asked for clarity on enforcement (sidewalk encroachment and outdoor heaters), the placement of shade (trees and porticoes), the sequencing of utility work under the street and whether the city should explore additional parking solutions in the future.

The council closed the meeting after additional public comments and adopted the resolutions that will allow the city to move forward with construction contracts and preliminary implementation steps.