Published: August 28, 2008 11:47 pm            

Ashland riverfront bids open

Range from $13.5M to $17.6M for project’s first phase

ASHLAND — Bids for the first phase of construction on Ashland’s Veterans Riverfront Park came in higher then expected Thursday, but city officials say they think one is within range for the project to proceed.

Engineers with KZF Design estimated construction costs at between $8.6 million and $11 million for the first phase, but four contractors submitted bids ranging from $13.5 million to $17.6 million. The apparent low bidder was Smith Contractors, of Lawrenceburg.

Ashland has just $9.5 million of its original $10.2 million federal earmark available for phase one construction. As part of the bid package, an alternative was bid that, if taken, would reduce costs by $4 million.

City Manager Steve Corbitt said it was likely the city would take that option — if it accepts any of the bids. He said the bids are good for 90 days and city staff along with KZF employees will review the proposals extensively before deciding on a course of action.

“I’m cautiously optimistic we have the money to do one of them,” Corbitt said. “You never know until you look at them.”

Corbitt said the city does have some “wiggle room” in the bids because it reserved the right to purchase on its own the steel needed for the project. The city may be able to move more quickly in buying the steel, locking in a better price. Also, as a governmental buyer, Ashland would not be subject to paying taxes on the material.

Estimates for the purchase of steel contained in the bids were not available Thursday.

Engineers have previously estimated the steel needed to build a 500-foot length of riverwall to reclaim 90 feet into the Ohio River from its current shore would account for one-third of the overall construction cost. The specialized material has more than doubled in price during the last year and its continual rise was a concern months ago.

A patented Open Cell method will be used to construct the wall, which will act as a large retaining wall. It will be back-filled to increase the size and reduce the slope of the park as it descends from the railroad tracks to the river.

The wall will be about 40 feet high but only about 5 feet will be visible above the water line. The site will serve as a boat dock, walkway and stage.

Acting Mayor Kevin Gunderson said he was “in sticker shock” after the bid openings. But, he added, “No air bags deployed.”

Gunderson said he was more upset KZF did not send a representative to Ashland for the bid opening because Ashland has paid the firm a substantial amount of money to design the project, which now appears cannot be done within the city’s budget.

“There is a possibility we may have to go back to the architects and not go out in the river so far,” he said.

Gunderson in the last year has often expressed dissatisfaction with the firm. He has said he’s concerned too much of the riverfront money is being consumed in consulting fees.

Last week, he opposed a decision by the Ashland Board of City Commissioners to pay the firm an additional $127,000 to oversee construction administration and inspections on the project. He said he thinks it’s a bad idea to have the architectural firm also serve as a construction manager.

Phase one construction takes place on the eastern-most section of the riverfront property, between the railroad tracks and the river and also includes several portions of the walkways that will eventually be tied into the existing brick paths in the western-most portion of the park to create the park’s signature “ribbons.” Restrooms, tucked into one of the park’s three earthen mounds, along with an entrance plaza, retaining walls for the earthen mounds and a railroad barrier, were also included in the bids.

CARRIE KIRSCHNER can be reached at ckirschner@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.