REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: DENIX D. ANBIAH, PE, Director
Capital Projects Department
SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: Scott p. sehm, PE, Assistant Director
Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division
STEVE DELSID, PE, Licensed Professional Engineer
Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the McKinley and Blythe Complete Streets Project, Bid File Number 12601327 (Council District 3)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
2. Award a Construction Contract in the amount of $2,718,109.00 to Avison Construction, Inc., of Madera, California
3. Approve an Interagency Agreement for Design and Construction of Master Plan Facilities and Improvements with the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (FMFCD) for reimbursement of FMFCD facilities construction not to exceed $122,428.80
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council 1) Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, 2) award a construction contract with Avison Construction, Inc., of Madera, California in the amount of $2,718,109.00 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno and 3) approve the Interagency Agreement with FMFCD in the amount of $122,428.80 and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign the agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The McKinley and Blythe Complete Streets Project will provide major upgrades to both the roadways as well as the intersection of McKinley and Blythe Avenues, improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists who use these facilities daily. The project includes the partial reconstruction of approximately 1,700 feet of Blythe Avenue and 1,000 feet of McKinley Avenue, installation of new curb and gutter and the replacement and infill of sidewalk along portions of both roads. Other proposed improvements includes new bicycle facilities and a new traffic signal that will incorporate left-turn phasing, count-down pedestrian heads, and Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) pedestrian pushbuttons. ADA-compliant curb ramps and crosswalks will also be installed at the intersection.
Funding comes from the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), with local match funding from the SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account. The County of Fresno is also contributing a proportional share of the project costs.
BACKGROUND
The design phase of the project was initiated in FY20, and the engineering design, project management, and right-of-way acquisition took six years and was completed by City of Fresno staff.
The project involves reconstructing about 1,000 feet of McKinley Avenue and 1,700 feet of Blythe Avenue, with most of the work occurring along the frontages of McKinley Elementary School and El Capitan Middle School. Planned improvements include ADA-compliant sidewalks, curb ramps, and crosswalks. Roadway upgrades will add new curb and gutter, drive approaches, improved asphalt paving, storm drain enhancements, bicycle facilities, and street lighting. The project also includes a new traffic signal at McKinley Avenue and Blythe Avenue, featuring protected left-turn phasing, accessible pedestrian signal (APS) pushbuttons, and countdown signal heads. Approximately 32 percent of the project area is within Fresno County, which has agreed to contribute funding through a Project-Specific Supplemental Agreement (PSSA) previously executed by both agencies.
A Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Fresno Business Journal on March 23, 2026, posted on the City’s website, and distributed to Three (3) building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to Forty-five (45) prospective bidders. Seven (7) bid proposals were received and publicly opened on April 21, 2026, with bids amounts ranging from $2,718,109.00 to $3,350,716.14. Avison Construction, Inc. submitted the apparent low bid of $2,718,109.00 and was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the project. The bids will expire on June 24, 2026; if the bids are rejected or allowed to expire, the project must be rebid, resulting in an estimated delay of approximately 90 days.
Based on staff’s assessment of the project scope and associated funding constraints, staff recommends Council award a construction contract to Avison Construction, Inc. of Madera, California, in the amount of $2,718,109.00, and authorize the Capital Projects Director, or designee, to execute the contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
The Interagency Agreement for the Design and Construction of Master Plan Facilities and Improvements is prepared and issued by the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (FMFCD). Under this agreement, the City will have the planned underground storm drainage improvements constructed by Avison Construction, Inc., in accordance with FMFCD’s approved master plan. Once FMFCD completes its inspection and accepts the underground improvements, the City will be reimbursed for the actual construction costs, up to a maximum of $122,428.80. Staff recommends Council approve the agreement with FMFCD and authorize the Director of Public Works, or designee, to execute the agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno.
The McKinley and Blythe Complete Streets Project is federally funded with Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant funding and the City of Fresno is not authorized to utilize the Community Workforce Agreement (PLA) on this Project due to the funding source requirements.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the proposed Standardized Construction Contract, the Interagency Agreement, and the environmental determination as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
A preliminary environmental assessment has been completed, and it has been determined the project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Class 1), which applies to minor alterations of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use. This exemption is appropriate because the project involves reconstructing an existing roadway, sidewalks, curb and gutter, and installing a traffic signal without expanding the roadway footprint. The project would also result in only minor and negligible alterations to existing land uses on the parcels proposed for acquisition. The improvements would not increase roadway capacity and would not cause potentially significant environmental impacts related to project location, cumulative effects, scenic resources, hazardous waste sites, historical resources, energy demand, or any other factor that could result in a significant environmental effect.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local Preference is not applicable due to the Federal funding requirements.
FISCAL IMPACT
The McKinley and Blythe Complete Streets Project is located in Council District 3. The overall cost of the project is $3,915,860.41. The project is federally funded with a grant by the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds. Required local match is funded by SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) and a contribution from the County of Fresno utilizing their Road Maintenance Funds. Of the overall project budget, $2,718,109.00 will be used for the construction contract award. The project will have no impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
CEQA Environmental Assessment
Standardized Contract
Procurement Evaluation Form
Interagency Agreement for Design and Construction of Master Plan Facilities and Improvements
Vicinity Map