CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve the award of Bid 24-227, Eagle Street Gateway and Accessibility Improvements Project, to Baumgartner Construction, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $3,516,001.27 plus a 3% contingency
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: William J. Novack, P.E., Director of Transportation, Engineering, and Development/City Engineer
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
The Naperville Riverwalk Commission has been active in the design of this project and supports construction of the improvements.
BACKGROUND:
On October 20, 2020, the City Council endorsed the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan prepared by the Naperville Riverwalk Commission. This plan is based on a vision for the Riverwalk as it approaches its 50th Anniversary in 2031 and outlines six capital projects to expand and increase accessibility. The Eagle Street Gateway and Accessibility Improvements Project is one of the projects.
Currently, there is no accessible route between the upper and lower Riverwalk pathways west of Eagle Street. When using the lower walkway, the only accessible way to reach the upper walkway is to go back to Main Street, nearly 1,000 feet to the east.
The Transportation Engineering and Development (TED) Business Group issued Bid 24-227, Eagle Street Gateway and Accessibility Improvements Project, on October 4, 2024. This project aims to improve accessibility by providing ADA-compliant ramps between the upper and lower paths just west of Eagle Street. Specifically, this work includes the replacement of the existing walls directly adjacent to the river and widening the riverway path to a minimum width of eight feet, constructing ADA-compliant stairways and ramps to provide access to the riverway, and landscaping improvements throughout the project.
The City secured a $900,000 grant from Congressman Bill Foster to assist in funding this project.
DISCUSSION:
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Advertisement Date: 10/4/2024 |
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Notices Sent: |
767 |
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Opening Date: 11/13/2024 |
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Planholders: |
45 |
Proposals Received: 2
Bids were received from the following vendors:
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Vendor Name |
Proposed Cost |
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Engineer’s Estimate |
$2,291,435.00 |
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Baumgartner Construction, Inc. |
$3,516,001.27 |
|
Copenhaver Construction, Inc. |
$4,014,724.00 |
The engineer’s estimate was prepared by Engineering Resource Associates, Inc., the City’s Riverwalk consultant. The low bidder was 53% higher than the engineer’s estimate. The majority of the discrepancy can be attributed to underestimating the cost of the cofferdam and concrete work items. Both bidders provided unit prices for these items that greatly exceeded the engineer’s estimate.
This project was originally bid in early 2024. The project was not awarded at that time due to the bids greatly exceeding the engineer’s estimate and a lack of responsive bidders. In an effort to create a more competitive bidding process, this project was rebid in October 2024 with reduced bidder prequalification requirements, an elongated bid timeline, and additional notifications sent to prospective bidders. However, only two bids were received from the same two initial bidders. Recognizing that this project will be more expensive than estimated, the accessibility improvements to the Riverwalk are critical to provide equal access for all users.
The completion date of this project is September 19, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
CIP #: PA053
The Eagle Street Gateway and Accessibility Improvements are expensed to the Infrastructure account listed below. The 2025 proposed budget includes $3.3 million for this project. Although the award amount does exceed the proposed budget amount; the City has secured a $900,000 grant to help offset some of this cost. Additionally, staff will monitor other project awards and bids in 2025 and will adjust as needed.
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Account Number |
Fund Description |
Total Proposed Budget Amount |
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30292200-551502 |
Capital Projects Fund |
$4,425,000 |
*Per Council directive, contingency on construction projects is set at 3% on projects over $500,000 and 5% on projects under $500,000.