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Safford awards $8.93M construction contract for Jason Couts regional park to Dansen Construction
Summary
Council approved a $3.2M CIP amendment and awarded the Mayor Jason Couts Regional Park construction contract to Dansen Construction LLC, bringing the construction contract to about $8.93M (including selected alternates and contingencies) and the overall project budget to roughly $11.89M; staff said work could begin summer 2026 with substantial completion in fall 2027.
The Safford City Council on March 23 approved a capital improvement budget amendment and awarded the construction contract for the Mayor Jason Couts Regional Park to Dansen Construction LLC.
Finance Director Troy Bingham explained a requested $3.2 million amendment drawn from federal CARES Act funds and general fund resources to raise the park’s total budget to $11.888 million (the full budget includes previously budgeted sewer funds of about $1.2 million). The council approved resolution R26-014 to amend the FY2026–2030 CIP so staff can proceed with the construction award.
Public works staff reviewed bids received for the project. The low responsive bidder was Dansen Construction LLC. The recommended award included the base bid plus selected alternates (pathway along 8th Avenue, additional post-and-cable fencing, exposed aggregate sidewalk finishes) and a contractor-proposed design/materials change order valued at roughly $640,000 to accelerate procurement of long‑lead restrooms and amphitheater components. The total construction contract, including the contractor contingency item and selected alternates, is approximately $8,933,764.36. Staff noted additional line items—design services, on-site utilities and inspection—bringing the total project outlay to the previously stated CIP amount.
Public works said the project includes playgrounds, a splash pad, pickleball courts, walking paths, a bridge across the wash, an amphitheater and restrooms. Several smaller alternates, including smaller ramadas and site furnishings, were discussed as items the city could supply or build in-house to reduce contractor markup; the director said those choices would be made in project implementation and could be adjusted if contingency funds are available.
Council approved the contract award and the CIP amendment. Work is anticipated to begin in summer 2026 and continue through fall 2027, subject to material lead times, site conditions and standard construction contingencies.
The council did not take additional financial action beyond authorizing the contract award and budget amendment; staff will manage contract change orders and report back under procurement policies.
