Title:
Construction Contract - Historic Stewart Creek Stream Enhancement Project-Phase I
Summary
ACTION:
Authorize the County Manager to execute a construction contract with Blythe Development Company in the amount of $3,344,143.80
Staff Contact: Stephanie Roberts-Bowman, LUESA - Storm Water Services
Presentation: No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
Since 2013, Mecklenburg County Storm Water Services has worked with the Historic West End Neighborhood Association, Stewart Creek Environmental Association and multiple public agencies on several initiatives in the Stewart Creek watershed. One of the outcomes from these discussions is the need for Stewart Creek to be enhanced to improve water quality and re-establish habitat in the creek. This project will not decrease flooding - the floodplains in Mecklenburg County are meant to flood.
The design contract for the Historic Stewart Creek Stream Enhancement project was approved by the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners on June 22, 2016. The project extends from I-85 to Wilkinson Boulevard, for a total length of approximately 3.5 miles (19,000 LF). The County has completed design of the entire 3.5 miles of stream enhancement along Stewart Creek. However, due to the difficulty of obtaining all eighty-seven (87) private easements along the entire length of the project reach, and to improve the ease of constructability, the County divided the project into three phases. This Board Action applies only to Phase I, which spans approximately 1.1 miles (5,600 LF). The County intends to construct Phase II and III in succession directly after the completion of Phase I.
The first bid opening date was May 30, 2019, at which time only one bid was received. Per North Carolina General Statutes, at least three competitive bids must be received to award a construction contract. In the absence of three bids, the project t must be re-advertised. The project was re-advertised and two (2) bids were received on June 10, 2019. The lowest, responsive, responsible bidder was Blythe Development Company, with a bid of $3,344,143.80.
Anticipated M/W/SBE Utilization:
Sub Contractors MBE 10% WBE 4.08% SBE 5%
In 2018, the County applied for a Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) grant to fund a portion of the Stewart Creek project. As a condition of award, the sections of the project funded by the grant must be set aside as conservation easements. Several of the project properties where Storm Water Services proposed to place conservation easements are County parks. Storm Water Services staff have been working in conjunction with Park and Recreation staff, and CWMTF, to revise the CWMTF easement to reduce use restrictions and impacts on park properties. This negotiation is ongoing and the contract with CWMTF has not been completed. Storm Water Services expects that the contract will be complete, and CWMTF funds will be applied, prior to constructing Phase III of the project. The CWMTF award will be discussed in more detail in a future Board Action.
The project will be funded by Mecklenburg County Storm Water Services capital improvement funds. County Storm Water Services will oversee and manage the project construction.
PROCUREMENT BACKGROUND:
N/A
POLICY IMPACT:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding of $3,344,143.80 will come from Storm Water Services Capital Funds.