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Resident questions $2.1 million West 7th bridge lighting contract; city clarifies scope
Summary
A resident at the June 23 meeting criticized proposed West 7th Bridge lighting as an expensive 'light show'; Transportation Director Lauren Pryor clarified the current contract is a roughly $2.1 million design-build contract and not additive to the previously budgeted $2.5 million.
A resident who identified himself as Adrian Smith raised concerns about the West 7th Bridge lighting proposal, calling it more spectacle than safety and citing a figure that combined earlier and current budgets to suggest a total taxpayer cost of about $4.64 million.
"If you're seeking to improve safety... then a standard set of lighting that illuminates every aspect of the bridge without distraction should be priority," Smith said, and asked staff whether the project was meant to be a show piece or a safety upgrade.
Lauren Pryor, the city's Transportation Public Works Director, responded that the original budget had been set at $2.5 million and the contract before Council is for roughly $2.1 million, describing the procurement as design-build due to the specialty nature of lighting installation on a preformed bridge. "This is essentially a design-build contract, not a low bid, primarily because of the specialty nature of this lighting," Pryor said, and clarified the $2.1 million is not additive to the original budget.
The exchange foregrounded citizen concern over cost and focus (utility lighting versus decorative or programmable fixtures) while the city emphasized procurement complexity and the need for specialized installation that can raise per-unit costs. The item remained on the record as the council processed the consent agenda and related contracts.
