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Seward council approves engineering contract for waterfront campground utilities expansion
Summary
The Seward City Council unanimously approved Resolution 2026-053 on May 26, 2026, authorizing up to $119,454 (plus 10% contingency) for CRW Engineering to design electrical and water hookups for 36 utility sites at Resurrection South and Iditarod-area campgrounds; staff said construction costs could be several times the engineering estimate and would be funded from capital-improvement and enterprise accounts.
The Seward City Council on Tuesday approved Resolution 2026-053, authorizing the city manager to accept a CRW Engineering proposal for professional design, engineering and surveying work to expand electrical and water service at Resurrection South and the Iditarod-area campgrounds.
The resolution, read into the record by the city clerk, covers $119,454 in design work plus a 10% contingency. Parks and Recreation Director (presenting materials) said the engineering scope includes land surveying, bid-ready construction documents, permitting and construction support to add roughly 36 utility pedestals and water connections along the waterfront.
Parks staff said a 2021 rough estimate for full construction was about $400,000 but cautioned that current costs could be higher. Staff also presented a revenue projection used to evaluate payback: the campground season runs April 15–Sept. 30 (about 167 days), and the added utility sites could produce an estimated $680 in extra revenue per day — roughly $100,000 for a full season under current fee structures.
Council members asked where construction funds would come from if the engineering returned a high price. Staff said the engineering expense will be paid from capital-improvement funds; if the project proceeds in 2027 the city anticipates placing campgrounds and parking into an enterprise fund and using those revenues to help fund construction.
After discussion — including clarification that the engineering step is preparatory and that a separate construction resolution would follow — the council voted by roll call and approved the resolution. The clerk recorded yes votes from Draper, Calhoun, Osinga, Warner, Kratz and Mayor McClure.
What happens next: staff will finalize the engineering contract and return to council with bids or a construction plan if the design costs and project budget are acceptable. The engineering contract does not itself authorize construction.
