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Little Canada rescinds Clark Companies award, reassigns Rice Street sidewalk contract to Thomas and Sons
Summary
After Clark Companies said it lacked staff capacity, the Little Canada City Council rescinded that award, approved Thomas and Sons Construction at its bid price for $599,484.20, authorized a revised total project cost of $749,500, and discussed pursuing a bid bond claim capped at $27,500.
The Little Canada City Council voted on June 10 to rescind a prior award to Clark Companies for the Rice Street sidewalk project and to award the contract to Thomas and Sons Construction at its original bid price.
City Engineer Eric Seaburg told the council Clark Companies informed staff it lacked the staffing capacity to complete the project. Staff said Thomas and Sons Construction confirmed it would complete the work at the same bid price from the May 19 bid opening. Council members discussed pursuing a claim against Clark Companies’ bid bond, noting the maximum claim is five percent of the bid (capped at $27,500) and that any recovery would be split with Ramsey County, which is a project partner.
Schwalbach moved to rescind the Clark Companies award (Resolution 2026‑6‑86); Kwapick seconded and the motion passed 5‑0. Schwalbach then moved to award the construction contract to Thomas and Sons for $599,484.20 (Resolution 2026‑6‑87); Malone seconded and the motion passed 5‑0.
Council also approved a revised total project cost of $749,500 and authorized the use of the city’s Fund 450 to cover the city’s estimated $86,000 share of the project (Resolution 2026‑6‑88). During discussion members acknowledged that pursuing a bid bond claim could be effective but expressed concern about potential reputational impacts on future contractor relationships; the council agreed staff should evaluate whether to file the claim.
The project was described as important to corridor mobility; staff noted that if the sidewalk were not completed now it could be delayed and cost more when bundled into a future street project. Ramsey County staff were informed of the contract change and will share in cost outcomes related to the bid bond claim.
