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Bluffton council moves to authorize $1.21M Bridge Street streetscape contract with 25% contingency
Summary
Council voted to authorize a construction contract with Sea Island Land Development LLC for Bridge Street Streetscape phases 2–3 (base bid $1,210,393.83) and approved a requested contingency (25%) for a total fiscal impact of $1,512,992.29; the project includes drainage, street lighting, repaving, and limited sidewalk/parking improvements.
Town staff presented the Bridge Street Streetscape Phases 2 and 3 recommendation and asked council to authorize the town manager to execute a contract with Sea Island Land Development LLC, the lowest qualified bidder (base bid $1,210,393.83). Staff requested a 25% contingency to cover complexity-related unknowns in the historic district and potential utility or site surprises, producing a total fiscal impact of $1,512,992.29 (Speaker 20).
The scope includes repaving and drainage work from Calhoun Street west to Thomas Hayward, new or replaced street lighting, limited on-street parking adjacent to the Montessori School, and a boardwalk crossover across the cove near Sarah Riley Hooks. Staff said the project work is within the previously approved budget and anticipated a notice to proceed in late April with construction into fall 2026, weather permitting (Speaker 20).
Councilmembers asked whether the town has previously done business with the low bidder and whether the contingency percentage is the contractor’s decision or the council’s. Staff said Sea Island is based in Charleston and has local-area projects; the 25% contingency is a council authorization based on project complexity and available budget. Staff also said community meetings and signage have been used to notify neighbors and recommended a preconstruction meeting to inform residents once award is finalized.
Council approved the motion to authorize the contract with contingency by voice vote (motion made and passed during formal agenda). The motion included authorization for the town manager to sign the contract and for staff to schedule a preconstruction meeting.
