SerpApi.Org
WOOD RIVER — Bids for the construction of Wood River’s City Center Park were rejected and new bids sought at the July 20 City Council meeting.
City Manager Steve Palen said the bids, about a half-dozen, were rejected both because of higher-than-anticipated costs and because of some miscommunication in the bid process.
Located at First Street and Ferguson Avenue, the facility's plans include a stage, permanent spots for games and other activities, restrooms, and other amenities.
Part of the city’s longstanding plans for downtown redevelopment, the project was unveiled in early March, and the cost has been estimated at approximately $1 million.
Palen said Monday there were concerns about the price on some of the bids, as well as other issues.
“There were some things in the bid I think weren’t communicated quite well enough to all the contractors,” he said. “And then the turnaround I think was a little quick for a job of this size.
“So this will give them two extra weeks, and we're clearing up any of the ambiguous language in the contract documents, and then hopefully the price comes down a little bit, and we're able to approve it and build it,” he added.
Even with the delay, Palen said he hopes to have the work done by the end of the year.
“That way it's in and ready to go for whatever we want to use it for next year,” he said.
“Part of what we've been trying to do downtown is showing developers that we are willing to invest in downtown," Palen added. "We've done two streetscape projects to the tune of over $1.3 million."
Council approves engineering deal, equipment buys
Also approved was a professional service agreement with Oates Associates for engineering services. Oates Associates, Inc. is based in Collinsville. The organization's president is Bruce Schopp of Freeburg, and its secretary is Jeffrey Rensing of Alton.
The agreement is for smaller, day-to-day engineering projects, and larger projects costing more than $25,000 would be subject to the bidding process, according to Palen.
Also approved were a $30,300 bid for a new Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus fill station compressor from Feld Fire and a 2027 F-250 truck for Public Services from Weber Commercial Truck Center at a cost of $53,923.
Wood River approves 2 roadside fundraisers
The City Council approved requests from the Marine Corps Ladies Auxiliary Unit 488 and the East Alton-Wood River High School boys basketball team to solicit funds at the intersection of Wood River and Penning avenues. The Ladies Auxiliary fundraiser will from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, and the basketball team's fundraiser will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10.
Wood River Chiefs for a Day introduced at City Council
Zoe and Annabelle Slusser, daughters of Madison County Board Chairman Chris Slusser, were introduced by Police Chief Brad Wells as “Chiefs for a Day.”
The titles were a bid item at the annual Tyler Timmons Memorial Trivia Night held in March.
“They have been my boss all day long,” Wells said. “They said their favorite part of the day was when we went to the donut shop.”
