Construction contract awarded for downtown

Work to begin in two weeks, costs higher than expected

MOSES LAKE —The bulldozers, orange cones and hard hats will soon make rumblings over a few blocks of downtown Moses Lake.

Work is scheduled to begin in two weeks on a downtown reconstruction project which will bring slimmer streets, wider sidewalks and roundabouts to one and a half blocks of Third Avenue, and will create a plaza with stage and landscaping at the city's Sinkiuse Square, all of which city leaders hope will be the start of a revitalized downtown.

The city council took their final action on the proposal Tuesday night, despite concerns about higher than normal contract costs.

The council's unanimous action to approve the contract was the final one before the project begins, following two years of public meetings and work by city staff to turn the downtown area into a gathering place. The action elicited applause from a handful of business people who came to see the contract be awarded.

Downtown construction is scheduled to begin July 24, one day after the Pig Out in McCosh Park music and food festival.

Municipal Services Director Gary Harer said the bid was higher than expected, but stated he didn't think the city could expect lower prices if they were to re-bid the project. He said higher construction costs and busy contractors statewide are resulting in higher than normal contracts in many municipalities.

The total contract is priced at $1,920,227, nearly $600,000 more than city engineers originally estimated. With engineering and consulting fees, the city expects the project to cost more than $2.3 million. The contract was awarded to MRM Construction of Ellensburg, who was the sole bidder of the project. The company recently completed a project at two of the city's wastewater treatment plants.

The project is being primarily funded by a $6.1 million bond issue which will also pay for an addition to the city's aquatic center and the construction of a permanent ice skating rink.

The aquatic center expansion would add a FlowRider wave attraction and lazy river to the current facility. That project has also seen an increase in cost projections since it was initially proposed two years ago. Recent discussions of that project indicate the expansion would cost more than $3 million, plus an additional $250,00 if a second chute is included. The council has not yet taken final action on the FlowRider, but some council members did voice support for adding on the second chute.

The other project being funded through the bonds is a permanent ice skating rink which is coming in close to the $1.5 million which was originally estimated.

City manager Joe Gavinski said if the city did choose to re-bid the project, the project would end up costing much more. Because the budget for all three projects exceeds the $6.1 million bond issue approved by the council in May, he said the city can borrow internally from the city's sanitation fund to pay for excess costs.

Mayor Ron Covey said the city shouldn't wait on the downtown project.

"I felt like if we didn't pursue this project and get it done this year, we would lose a lot of momentum in this project as far as the public's support," he said during the meeting, agreeing that if they were to put the project off he felt it would end up costing more money.

Councilman Richard Pearce agreed if they were going to continue with the downtown project, they should "bite the bullet" on the higher than expected costs, and complete the project this year.

Harer said the city and contractor will try to accommodate downtown businesses who will be inconvenienced by the construction. As soon as the sidewalk is torn up, Harer said the contractor will have to provide a hard surface in front of businesses. He said contractors also can't block the front doors of businesses after noon.

Downtown construction is expected to be complete by November.

Also at Tuesday's council meeting:

? The council took final action by a vote of 6-1 to adopt changes to the city's nuisance codes, prohibiting racing and homing pigeons from the city limits. Councilman Jon Lane voted against the change.

? Council members voted 5-2 to formally lower the age requirement for riding motorized scooters in the city limits from 16 to 12. Councilmen Pearce and Dick Deane cited safety concerns in voting against the plan.