Friendship Heights Village Council approves $183,431 contract for Page Park ADA and stormwater work

The Friendship Heights Village Council voted unanimously during a special virtual meeting to approve a $183,431 contract with SFMS LLC to perform Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility and stormwater work at Page Park, Council Chair Julian said. Victor, the council secretary who moved the motion, told members the parks and grounds committee had recommended the low bidder after reference checks.

"I moved to adopt the proposal from SFMS LLC for ADA and stormwater work in Page Park for a $183,431," Victor said as he moved the motion; a council member seconded it and Chair Julian called for members to raise their hands and say "I." Julian noted the committee had approved the selection unanimously pending reference verification, which had been completed.

Council members and staff discussed remaining tasks before the park can open. The playground remains the single largest outstanding item, members said, and design choices about railings and landscaping will affect both safety compliance and how the park appears from nearby high-rise residences. "They have all the railings, but for the final railings… the exact kind of design or whatever it is that we're gonna do on the backside of the area where the pergola was," the project manager, Jim, said while describing options.

Jim and other staff also warned that the stormwater permit requires a legal agreement with the county that grants right of entry and an easement for inspection and, if necessary, work. "It's actually a little bit more than that, Julian. It's it essentially, it's theirs," Jim said, describing the county's access rights under the required agreement. Council members said they and staff (including Ron) had reviewed the paperwork and found it acceptable; the transcript does not include the final signed agreement.

Members asked whether SFMS was available to start quickly; Jim responded that the contractor bid the job because it has the availability and capacity. Council members requested that staff provide guidance on maintenance procedures for the bioretention features so the village can meet its permit obligations.

The council called the vote and reported the motion passed unanimously; the meeting transcript records that members voted in favor but does not include a roll-call list of individual yes/no votes. The council adjourned at 02:44.

The items discussed next include final selections for playground equipment, the specific design of safety railings and any minor, post-construction adjustments such as plantings or dog-prevention features. The project also remains contingent on final permits and the village signing the county agreement required for the stormwater permit.