REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BRIAN BARR, Director
General Services Department
AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services
BY: ROBIN O’MALLEY, Facilities Manager
General Services Department, Facilities Management Division
DEBBIE BERNARD, Capital Development Specialist
General Services Department, Facilities Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Award a construction contract with Bush Engineering Incorporated, of Fresno, California, in the amount of $811,122 for the construction of a new park at North Van Ness Boulevard and East Weldon Avenue and authorize the Director of General Services or designee to sign and execute related documents (Bid File 12300704) (District 1)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council award a construction contract with Bush Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $811,122 for a new park at North Van Ness Boulevard and East Weldon Avenue and authorize the Director of General Services or designee to sign and execute related documents.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fresno High neighborhood is a distinct location in Fresno with multiple schools surrounded by residential homes and small businesses. The nearest City Park to the North Van Ness Boulevard and East Weldon Avenue intersection is over a mile away. In 2021, the City consulted the community to identify key needs for this new park, and ultimately utilized Measure P, ARPA, and General Funds to purchase the adjacent property, vacate the right-turn lane, and design a new 0.36-acre park to serve families within walking distance. The new park will provide a central community green space and plaza for gatherings and activities; places to rest under a tree canopy and enjoy the nearby businesses; a play structure for 2-5-year-old children; exercise stations for teens and adults; and recreation at the new bocce ball court. The new park will take advantage of recently completed street improvements including on-street parking. Awarding the construction contract will allow the City to target completion of the new park for summer 2023.
BACKGROUND
In 2021, the City procured the services of Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group, Inc. to conduct community engagement and then design a new park at the Northeast corner of N. Van Ness Blvd. and E. Weldon Ave. The proposed park design would utilize the existing median green space and the vacant property located at 2004 N. Van Ness Blvd. Together with the area vacated by incorporating the right-turn lane, the new park would include a total of 0.36 acres. The City also engaged Krazan & Associates, Inc. to conduct environmental studies pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) including Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments.
On June 9, 2022, the City Council adopted a CEQA mitigated negative declaration, authorized a purchase and sale agreement for the property located at 2004 N. Van Ness Boulevard (APN 444-153-28S), and awarded a construction contract to Avison Construction, Inc. for the completion of the street improvements portion of the project. Avison completed the street improvements including the construction of on-street parking, removal of the right-turn lane, new curbs and sidewalks, and landscaping improvements to enable the construction of the new park. This work was substantially completed in fall of 2022. During this time, Krazan also removed underground storage tanks associated with the site’s former use as an auto and gasoline station between 1947 and 1974.
The new park will provide a central community green space and plaza; a play structure for 2-5-year-old children; a bocce ball court; exercise stations for teens and adults; accessible paths with benches, picnic areas, and waste receptacles; a drinking fountain with dog bowl; and a tree canopy incorporating the preservation of 4 existing trees and 19 new trees. The park will include design elements recognizing the neighborhood’s unique character.
Plans and specifications for the park portion of the project were prepared by Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group, Inc. A Notice Inviting Bids was published on October 5, 2022, distributed to three building exchanges, and posted on the City’s website. The specifications were distributed to twenty-two prospective bidders. Seven on-line bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on October 25, 2022, with the bid amounts ranging from $811,122 to $1,029,124. Staff has determined that Bush Engineering, Inc. is the most responsive and responsible bidder.
The City Attorney has approved the contract as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
On June 9, 2022, Council adopted a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) pursuant to an environmental assessment initial study that was prepared for this project in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not utilized as the apparent low bid is from a local company.
FISCAL IMPACT
The park construction contract amount of $811,122 is funded through $500,000 in General Funds, of which a portion is anticipated to be reimbursed through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and $311,122 Measure P, Expenditure Category 2 funds (Acquisition/Construction of New Parks and Park Facilities); and is part of the FY23 adopted budget for the PARCS Department.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation