Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Utilities Department
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TO: |
David Corliss Debbie Van Saun |
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FROM: |
Philip Ciesielski |
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CC: |
Dave Wagner Bob Skinner |
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Date: |
March 1, 2007 |
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RE: |
March 6, 2007 City Commission Agenda – 2007 Downtown Waterline Improvements Bid Date |
Please include the following information on the consent agenda for the City Commission meeting of March 6, 2007.
Phase III - Downtown Waterline Improvements - Bid Date:
Project History: The current project includes waterline improvements along Massachusetts, from 9th to south of North Park Street. In addition to the waterline work, the Public Works and Park and Recreation Departments have included electrical and irrigation improvements on this project.
BG Consultants was retained by the Utilities Department in 2004 to complete a preliminary design report http://www.lawrenceutilities.org/downtown.shtml) for waterline improvements along 6th Street, Tennessee to Massachusetts and Massachusetts street, 6th to North Park Street. The plan was completed in fall of 2004 with a recommendation to improve the waterline over a three year period. A public meeting with the downtown association and businesses was conducted after the completion of the design report to solicit input and before the beginning of each construction phase.
The final report recommended a three phase construction schedule that included the following work: The first phase of the project, completed in 2005, included improvements along 6th Street, from Tennessee to Massachusetts; Massachusetts, 6th to 7th Street and 7th Street, Massachusetts to New Hampshire; the second phase completed in 2006 included waterline improvements along Massachusetts, from 7th to 9th. An additional segment along 9th street East of Massachusetts is being rescheduled to a later date due to the cost increases and construction schedule projected in this years construction activity and the potential to add future waterline improvements from Kentucky to Tennessee. The third, and current, phase of waterline improvements to be completed this year includes Massachusetts from 9th to North Park. In addition to the waterline work, the contract includes electrical and irrigation improvements requested by Public Works and Parks and Recreation Department.
Project Status / Details: The plans and specifications are complete and ready for Advertisement. The contract stipulates Liquidated Damages to be assessed at a rate of $1,000.00/day for each day work is required in excess of the allotted working days for a defined section of work. An incentive structure similar to the 2006 Phase will also be offered for early completion of the entire project.
It is anticipated that this Phase of the project will require similar street closures and traffic control to the 2006 phase. These have typically been one-way traffic on Massachusetts and limited/intermittent impacts to traffic on the cross streets.
On Thursday March 1, 2007 City Staff and representatives from BG Consultants met with the community to present the project and potential construction schedules. Several potential schedules, outlined on the attached, were discussed. Based on the results of these discussions Staff is recommending going forward with construction based on the Scenario 2 schedule. This schedule provides for an April construction start of Phase I in the 1100 block of Massachusetts, and has the contractor demobilized during the weekend of KU’s Sunday May 20th graduation prior to beginning Phases II & III. The following dates represent the Scenario 2 Schedule -
Advertise for Bids – March 8, 2007
Bid Letting – March 27, 2007
Phase I Construction – April 23, 2007 – May 18, 2007
Phase IIa & IIb Construction – May 21, 2007 – July 12, 2007
Phase III Construction – July 13, 2007 – September 7, 2007
Fact sheets will be mailed to each business and a public meeting will occur prior to the start of construction to provide business owners an opportunity to meet the contractor and discuss the project improvements / schedule.
Project Funding: Funding for this project will come from the non-bonded construction fund for 2007 waterline improvements with participation from Public Works. The Utility Department fund provides for approximately $1,170,000 per year for improvements to replace aging waterlines in the Distribution system.
The estimated cost from BG Consultants: waterline replacement - $1,380,470; street reconstruction - $149,750; electrical - $542,300 (total project cost estimate - $2,072,515).
Action Request: Utilities staff request approval from the City Commission to set a bid opening date of March 27, 2007 for Phase III of the Downtown Waterline Improvement project.
Thank you for your assistance. Please advise if you have any questions.