Council approves $644,739 contract amendment to finish Heritage Park design after split vote

The Sumner City Council approved a $644,739 consultant contract amendment to move Heritage Park phases 3 and 4 from 60% to 100% design, producing shovel-ready construction documents, updated cost estimates and permit-ready drawings.

Public Works Director Michael Khosa told the council the amendment (design amendment number 5) will fund a full site survey, building permit submittal drawings, updated architectural renderings and a revised cost estimate needed to bid construction. “The total cost is $644,739,” Khosa said.

The amendment advances work the consultant Jet Landscape and Architecture completed through 2022–24, when the project reached a 60% design milestone for the event building and park. Khosa said moving to 100% design typically takes six to nine months and makes the project a stronger candidate for grant funding. “When you have a shovel ready project, that’s when your project has the most ability to garner additional funds,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Elfers and staff clarified funding sources: earlier design work to 60% was funded by a Pierce County LTAC grant, while the current amendment will be paid from a mix of city funds and parks impact fee sources, with staff continuing to pursue outside grants as the design is completed.

Council discussion focused on cost, scope and timing. Council member Malcolm said he would oppose the amendment because he worried the pavilion and building scope were being conflated with city facility needs and argued the council should explore a smaller pavilion design and separately address city office space. “I’m going to be the anti-Andy, and I’m going to vote no against us tonight,” Malcolm said, noting concerns about combining the two projects and long-term cost implications.

Other council members defended advancing design work so the city can pursue grants and have a clear construction estimate before committing to construction funds. Council member Evers urged staff to continue seeking outside funding and noted remaining local funding sources. Hockstetter and others said robust design work was necessary to keep project momentum and bidding options open.

The council adopted the amendment on a 5–1 roll call. Khosa and staff said the next step is to complete 100% design and return to council with funding options for construction once the city has accurate cost estimates.

Clarifying details: the design amendment will convert existing 60% documents to 100% ready-to-bid construction documents, include a building permit submittal, and provide updated renderings and a cost estimate; Pierce County LTAC had funded earlier design work to 60%; this amendment’s $644,739 price was presented as the negotiated amount for the consultant amendment.