Waukee approves most bid packages for public-safety building renovation; package 13 to be rebid

The Waukee City Council approved staff’s recommendation to accept apparent low bids for the majority of bid packages for the renovation of the former police/fire building at 1300 Southeast LA Grant Parkway, while directing staff to rebid a single package that received no bids.

Brad (city staff) told the council the facility—built in 2000—will receive system replacements (HVAC, electrical, plumbing), interior remodeling to add bunk rooms and dayroom/fitness space for on-duty fire personnel, modifications to apparatus bays, and site work including parking and sidewalks. The public-safety renovation is included in the draft FY26–27 CIP and staff noted primary funding comes from local option sales tax; federal tax credits tied to geothermal and solar work on the new facility will offset costs.

Bids were received March 31 across 13 trade packages. Staff reported apparent low bidders for bid packages 2 through 12 and recommended moving forward with these awards; total for packages 2–12 was slightly under the engineer’s estimate. No bids were received for bid package 13; staff plans to reset that bid date for April 23 and return the results to council at the next meeting. The council voted to approve awarding the received packages and to rebid package 13.

Councilors asked questions about bid spreads and contractor vetting; staff said the construction manager (Ryan Companies) reviewed the bids and supported the recommendations. Resident speakers asked whether the city could require apprenticeship programs and certified payroll; staff said state law requires consideration of the lowest responsible bidder but city procurement practices and RFPs include qualifications; the council indicated interest in reviewing whether additional workforce requirements might be feasible in future procurements.