Northfield rejects Wagner Road sidewalk bids after prices come in 58% over estimate; manager authorized to negotiate

The village board voted unanimously on March 26 to reject all bids for the Wagner Road sidewalk extension after staff reported the lowest bid was roughly 58% higher than the village budget and engineer’s estimate. Staff recommended rejection to allow additional coordination with the school’s planned redesign and to explore options for rebidding or negotiating a better price.

Village staff said the project involves more than a simple sidewalk replacement — the job requires grading, drainage work and new construction — which contributed to higher bids. "The lowest bid was 58% more than the budget, 58% more than the engineer's estimate," staff member Patrick told trustees when explaining the recommendation to reject the bids.

Trustees discussed options including phasing the project to the church driveway, negotiating with a known contractor (Schroeder & Schroeder), or combining this scope with other sidewalk projects to achieve economies of scale. Trustee Fowler and others urged caution about indefinitely delaying a needed west‑side segment that serves the church and local families.

Trustee Whitaker moved to reject the bids and grant the village manager authority to negotiate with Schroeder & Schroeder; Trustee Fowler added a friendly amendment requiring the manager to report back at the next board meeting. The deputy clerk recorded unanimous yes votes from the board and the motion carried.