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La Cygne approves low bids for major water upgrades, engineers to target plant and tower work
Summary
Council accepted low bids for Phase I and II of a multi-million-dollar water distribution project and authorized engineers to use surplus grant dollars to pursue water-plant electrical fixes and a new water tower. Work on Phase II will follow Phase I completion.
La Cygne leaders voted to accept low bids for a two-phase water distribution overhaul, a project officials said will reduce long-standing service limitations and make the system more resilient.
BG Consultants engineer Brian Kingsley told the council the Phase I low bid came in well under the engineer’s estimate and Phase II bids were also substantially lower than projected. “The Phase I bid price was 78% of the estimated costs and the Phase II bid price was 85% of the estimated costs,” Kingsley said. The council approved awarding both phases to Orr Wyatt Streetscapes — Phase I at $775,012.09 and Phase II at $2,632,792.69 — contingent on funding-agency concurrence and final authorization for construction.
Council members asked the engineers to recommend uses for remaining grant funds that resulted from the low bids. Kingsley said engineers would pursue moving USDA grant dollars toward improvements at the water treatment plant (electrical and equipment issues) and toward a new water tower, and return with cost estimates and permitting requirements. “We recommend awarding the contracts now and then look to allocate remaining monies to the plant and tower improvements,” he said.
The council approved multiple pay requests and drawdowns related to stored materials and construction as the contractor staged equipment and supplies. Mayor Robert Sullivan and Public Works Superintendent Jim Johnson emphasized coordination on traffic, hydrant adjustments and property notices where crews will work. The council directed BG Consultants to proceed with geotechnical services for the proposed tower site and to prepare bid documents to allow Phase II to begin once Phase I is substantially complete.
What happens next: Orr Wyatt is scheduled to begin work as permits and agency approvals come through; BG Consultants will return with firm costs and a financing/permit plan before any tower construction decision. The awards were contingent on funding approval from USDA and CDBG.
