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Coralville council rejects high stair-replacement bids, approves street and stormwater design agreements
Summary
Council rejected two bids far above estimate for the IRL West parking facility stair replacement, approved design contracts for 8th Street improvements and Ridgeview stormwater basins, and accepted final completion of the Oakdale Boulevard project.
Coralville’s City Council on May 12 rejected bids for a stair replacement at the Iowa River Landing West parking facility, approved engineering agreements for two capital projects and adopted a set of resolutions and consent items covering multiple invoices and contract payments.
Parking & Transportation Director Vicky Robrock reported two bids for the IRL West parking facility stair replacement: $432,265 from Structural Solutions and $1,100,000 from Western Specialists. The engineer’s estimate had been $180,000. In consultation with city consultants, staff concluded the bids were significantly higher than expected and recommended rejecting all bids. Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-66 to reject the bids.
Council then approved a design and limited construction-services agreement with Shoemaker & Haaland for 8th Street Improvements from west of 12th Avenue to the recreation center driveway. City Engineer Scott Larson said the work includes pavement, new storm sewers, sidewalks and a new water main; the project will be coordinated with the new recreation center and split across two summers with a not-to-exceed fee of $245,700. Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-67.
The council also approved an engineering agreement with RDG Planning & Design not to exceed $134,548 for Ridgeview stormwater basins and associated open-space amenities, including a pond, stormwater wetland and trail connections; Resolution No. 2026-68 was adopted.
Other formal actions included acceptance of the Oakdale Boulevard Extension — 2023 project (retainage $101,189.14 due in 30 days, Resolution No. 2026-69), approval of a second amendment to a license agreement extending it to Jan. 31, 2028 (Resolution No. 2026-70), and adoption of a first amendment to a private redevelopment agreement clarifying Phase 1 scope for a financier (Resolution No. 2026-71). The council approved an extensive consent calendar that included multiple vendor payments, pay estimates and license approvals.
Votes at a glance:
- Resolution No. 2026-66: Reject bids for IRL West parking facility stair replacement — introduced by Peterson, seconded by Huynh; adopted.
- Resolution No. 2026-67: Approve Shoemaker & Haaland engineering services agreement for 8th Street Improvements — not to exceed $245,700; adopted.
- Resolution No. 2026-68: Approve RDG Planning & Design agreement for Ridgeview Stormwater Basins — not to exceed $134,548; adopted.
- Resolution No. 2026-69: Accept Oakdale Boulevard Extension - 2023 as completed (retainage $101,189.14 due in 30 days); adopted.
- Resolution No. 2026-70: Approve Second Amendment to License Agreement with DeFauw Corporation (d/b/a Katsch Boutique) extending through Jan. 31, 2028; adopted.
- Resolution No. 2026-71: Approve First Amendment to Private Redevelopment Agreement with RDC-FDC Iowa investments clarifying Phase 1; adopted.
Council members and staff framed the high stair-replacement bids in the context of a difficult bidding environment and discussed working with consultants to re-scope or value-engineer the project before re-bidding. Staff said coordinating street construction with the recreation center project will reduce cost and traffic impacts and avoid re-excavation of newly installed utilities.
Next steps: staff will work with consultants to consider revisions to the stair-replacement scope to reduce costs, proceed with Shoemaker & Haaland design work for 8th Street, and advance RDG design for Ridgeview stormwater basin improvements to prepare bid documents.
