DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 1
SUBJECT: Downtown Streets Reconstruction: Main Ave. and Soledad St.
SUMMARY:
An ordinance for the Downtown Streets Reconstruction at Main Avenue and Soledad Street Project accepting the lowest responsive bid and awarding a construction contract in the amount of $9,561,830.31 to E-Z Bel Construction, LLC, a 2012-2017 General Obligation Bond-funded project, of which $1,747,079.56 will be reimbursed by SAWS, and $1,468,488.00 will be reimbursed by CPS Energy for joint-bid utility work associated with the construction of the Project, located in Council District 1.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The concept for the Main Avenue and Soledad Street Project was identified in the 2012 Downtown Transportation Study and funded in the 2012-2017 Bond Program. A Preliminary Engineering Report studied several alternatives and recommended both streets as two-way, improving vehicular connectivity and accommodating local economic development activity. The two-way conversion will extend from Commerce St. to Navarro St. Both Main Ave. and Soledad St. will be fully reconstructed from Commerce St. to Pecan St. with new asphalt pavement, concrete curbs and new sidewalks. Traffic and pedestrian signals will be replaced at all intersections along both corridors to accommodate two-way traffic. Both streets will have one southbound lane and one northbound lane, wider sidewalks, new pedestrian lighting, landscaping and street trees to promote more pedestrian activity. Dedicated five foot bike lanes will be added to Main Ave. Both streets will have on-street parallel parking to support local businesses and future retail development in the area. The remainder of Main Ave. and Soledad St., from Pecan St. to Navarro St., will receive new striping and signage to continue two-way traffic operations.
SAWS water, sewer and CPS gas will be upgrading their infrastructure within the project limits on both Main Ave. and Soledad.
This Project is in coordination with the Office of Historic Preservation, local business owners and the District 1 council office.
Procurement of Services
This Project was advertised for construction bids in June 2016 in the San Antonio Hart Beat,
the City of San Antonio Bidding and Contracting Opportunities website, Texas Electronic State
Business Daily and on TVSA. Bids for this Project were opened on July 19, 2016 and three (3)
bidders responded. Of these, EZ Bel Construction, LLC, Ltd. submitted the lowest responsive
bid.
EZ Bel Construction, LLC. is a small, minority business enterprise that has committed to meeting a 22.97% M/WBE subcontractor goal and a 1.39% AABE subcontractor goal.
This construction contract was developed utilizing the low bid process; therefore, a Discretionary
Contracts Disclosure Form is not required.
ISSUE:
An ordinance for the Downtown Streets Reconstruction at Main Avenue and Soledad Street Project, accepting the lowest responsive bid and awarding a construction contract in the amount of $9,561,830.31 to E-Z Bel Construction, LLC, Project, a 2012-2017 Bond-funded project located in Council District 1. Of this amount, $1,747,079.56 will be reimbursed by SAWS, and $1,468,488.00 will be reimbursed by CPS Energy for joint-bid utility work associated with the construction of the project, located in Council District 1.
This Project will convert both Main Avenue and Soledad Street to two-way traffic operations from Commerce St. to Navarro St. Both Main Ave. and Soledad St. will be fully reconstructed from Commerce St. to Pecan St. with new asphalt pavement, concrete curbs and new sidewalks. Traffic and pedestrian signals will be replaced at all intersections along both corridors to accommodate two-way traffic. Both streets will have one southbound lane and one northbound lane, wider sidewalks, new pedestrian lighting, landscaping and street trees to promote more pedestrian activity. Dedicated five foot bike lanes will be added to Main Ave. Both streets will have on-street parallel parking to support local businesses and future retail development in the area. The remainder of Main Ave. and Soledad St., from Pecan St. to Navarro St., will receive new striping and signage to continue two-way traffic operations.
ALTERNATIVES:
As an alternative, City Council could choose not to approve these additional services and move forward with the original design; however, this would require future improvements to the south side of Commerce Street, prolonging construction in this area and adversely affecting local businesses and transportation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is one-time capital improvement expenditure in the amount of $9,561,830.31 authorized payable to E-Z Bel Construction, LLC, of which $1,747,079.56 will be reimbursed by SAWS, and $1,468,488.00 will be reimbursed by CPS Energy. Funds are available from the 2012-2017 General Obligation Bonds and 2012 Certificates of Obligation Bonds and are included in the FY 2016-2021 Capital Improvement Program Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance, accepting the lowest responsive bid and awarding a construction contract in the amount of $9,561,830.31 payable to E-Z Bel Construction, LLC for the Downtown Streets Reconstruction: Main Ave. and Soledad St. Project.