Edgewater OKs site plan and $22.8M GMP for new public works complex amid resident concerns

The City of Edgewater voted on Dec. 2 to advance construction of a new public works complex at 300 Dale Avenue after receiving a detailed history and cost update from retired environmental services director Brenda Duis (speaker 45).

Duis summarized more than a decade of planning, including purchase of a 79‑acre site in 2014, feasibility work and phased design. The architect's 2021 estimate had grown from about $8.4 million for a minimal project to a 100% build estimate then calculated at roughly $43 million; phase 1 estimates were presented around $28.5 million and Wharton Smith offered a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $22,791,918 for phase 1 construction.

Council approved the major site plan (Item 10A) after civil engineer John Dillard explained the stormwater routing: runoff from the new facility will drain east into a wetland that discharges north to LaGuardia Canal. Dillard said the wetland provides staging capacity and that the design includes a pass‑through culvert to move water from the project’s west side into the wetland and onward to the canal.

The funding package and GMP (Item 10B) prompted sharp debate. Finance director Bridget Vass described the financing plan and the budget roll‑forwards required to support the project; the city also placed debt documents before council to authorize not‑to‑exceed borrowing of $20 million. Several council members and residents questioned whether the timing was right while flood‑affected neighborhoods still need immediate stormwater work. “I would rather see it go to stormwater,” Councilwoman Gillis said during deliberations.

Supporters argued the project is necessary to maintain city operations and enable expansion of the wastewater treatment plant on the existing site. Mayor DePue and other supporters noted the plant is at or near capacity and that moving fleet, fuel and maintenance operations is a precondition to future wastewater expansion.

The council votes: the major site plan (Item 10A) passed by roll call; the GMP (Item 10B) also passed with recorded votes (three in favor, two opposed). Detailed vote tallies are included in the city minutes and in the meeting actions.

What’s next: staff will execute the contract documents, pursue identified value‑engineering savings and continue to pursue grant and financing avenues. Council directed staff to continue seeking grant opportunities and to report regularly on grant compliance and stormwater priorities.

Quote: "If we don't do it, we're going to be in big trouble," said one council member describing wastewater capacity concerns; contractors and staff noted the project would require staged work and a 16‑month construction window for phase 1.