Owen Sound city hall. (photo by Claire McCormack)
Owen Sound council has given the thumbs-up to contracts for two major construction projects.
Council awarded tenders at its meeting Monday for the reconstruction of Alpha Street between 6th and 9th Avenues West, and for a revamp of the 900 block of 1st Avenue East — Phase 2 of the Downtown River Precinct project.
The winning bids were below what was budgeted for each project.
A $5.25-million contract was awarded to Moorefield Excavating for the Alpha Street reconstruction job. And MacDonnell Excavating will be completing Phase 2 of the Downtown River Precinct project, after submitting a $1.73-million bid.
A city staff report says the reconstruction of Alpha Street between 6th and 9th Avenues West is expected to begin next month and wrap up by November. The job includes the replacement of underground municipal infrastructure, construction of a new active transportation route on the east side of the road and some landscaping.
The city had budgeted $8.9-million for Alpha Street, but a staff report says the construction component of the project is forecasted to be around $3.1-million under budget after a competitive bid process.
“It’s been a terrific couple of years landing to where we are tonight, and seeing the bids come down below, substantially below where we had estimated,” says Owen Sound Deputy Mayor Scott Greig.
The contract for the next phase of the Downtown River Precinct project also came in lower than the city anticipated. The $1.73-million revamp of 900 block of 1st Avenue East will include road rehabilitation, a boardwalk, new sidewalks and streetscaping areas along the road, as well as improved storm water management and new decorative lighting.
Work is expected to begin in April and be completed by the end of August.
Phase 2 of the Downtown River Precinct project had been delayed a couple of times and was scaled back to be more cost-effective, after previous designs returned overbudget tender bids.
“This is certainly a project I’ve supported all along,” says Coun. Marion Koepke. “I think it’s very necessary for the enhancement of the River District. I’m really happy to see it’s finally coming to fruition.”