Lansing City Council approves bid for North, Platt and 4th Street Improvement Project, takes no action on several funding requests
by Joshua Sharpe
The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday, February 3. The meeting opened with a public hearing regarding the proposed Platt, North and 4 Street Improvement Project, with no comments heard or received in regard to the project. Following closure of the public hearing, approval was given to the plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the project.
BIDS FOR NORTH 4TH STREET PROJECT
Under the meeting’s first regular business agenda item, the council reviewed bids for the North, Platt and 4th Street Project, which focuses on improving roadway conditions and utility infrastructure. Six bids were received ranging in cost from $925,039.09 to $1,297,322.20. Mayor Mike Verdon emphasized that the resolution passed during the public hearing held earlier in the meeting authorized the approval of plans and estimates, allowing the council to award the contract.
The original engineer estimate for the project came in at slightly over $1.16 million. However, Mayor Verdon noted, “the low bidder on the project did it at just over 925,000 dollars,” indicating significant cost savings from the original estimate.
Ryan Wicks of Fehr Graham Engineering stated, “We did receive six bids, so pretty competitive. Three were above that original estimate, and three were below.” He highlighted the competitiveness by adding, “925,000 was actually over a hundred thousand lower than the second bidder, so it was a pretty aggressive bid.”
Funding for the project will be sourced from the State of Iowa Revolving Fund (SRF) for water and sewer improvements, and Community Development Grant (CDBG) funds. Wicks reassured the council about the reimbursement process, explaining, “SRF is fairly quick after the payment is made.
Usually, you can make that request, and it’s all digital now, I believe, within a few weeks.”
Construction on the project will commence around May 5 and be executed in two main phases. Wicks explained, “The first phase is 4th Street and North Street, and I believe that was 50 working days, and then the second phase, Platt Street, which is 40 working days.” A third phase involving generator upgrades to City lift stations is planned to start in July, and anticipated to last 25 working days. To ensure timely completion, the contract includes a liquidated damages clause of $1,500 per day for delays.
Mayor Verdon confirmed, “This resolution is number 1041. Resolution number 1041 will be in the amount of $925,039.09, and it will be a contractual agreement between the City of Lansing and Skyline Construction.” The council unanimously approved Resolution No. 1041.
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