April 18, 2024 |
Photo – Site for Never Forget Park – Bigfoot99 file photo
In Saratoga, work on the now down-sized military memorial known as Never Forget Park, is facing more obstacles and has been put on another hold.
Even at a reduced scope, the town’s proposed park, recognizing soldiers and first responders, is too costly.
For the past 16 years, the town of Saratoga has worked, haltingly at times, to build a park to honor Staff Sargeant Tyler Pickett and all who risk their lives to protect Americans. However, past delays combined with inflation in the post-COVID era have resulted in higher-than-expected construction costs.
In early January, the town was finally ready to request contractor bids to begin phase one of Never Forget Park: installing curbs, gutters, and sidewalks. However, the bids submitted by contractors were much too high.
During the February 6th Saratoga town council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner suggested the town reject the bids, cut back on amenities at the proposed park, and resubmit a request for proposals.
After two months, the town is ready to review the newly received bids. During Tuesday night’s Saratoga town council meeting, Public Works Director Penner said after reducing the scope of the project, the bids ended up being higher than before.
Penner once again suggested the town reject the bids. Councilman Mike Cooley said the contractor was asking for more money to do less work. Penner said the town should wait to submit another request for proposal for Never Forget Park.
Town supplied documents show that WLC Engineering, the firm hired to design Never Forget Park, estimated the total cost of the first phase of the project at $318,064.50. Despite the estimate, WLC suggested the town accept the bid from Rocky Mountain Sand and Gravel in the amount of $389,742.
The engineering firm made this suggestion after noting that the contract states that mobilization shall not exceed ten percent of the total bid price. Rocky Mountain Sand and Gravel bid $100,000 for mobilization, or 26% of the total price of the project. WLC said the town may choose to waive the requirement.
The Saratoga town council unanimously voted to reject the bids for phase one of the Never Forget Park and wait an undetermined amount of time before requesting additional contractor bids.
