Costlier parking ramp moves forward

UPDATE: Despite higher than hoped-for construction bids, City Hall is pushing ahead with a plan to build a parking ramp across First Avenue East from the Convention Complex.

The City Council is scheduled this week to award a contract to Knutson Construction Services Midwest Inc. of Iowa City. The company beat out four other contractors with a low base bid of $12.278 million - 6.8 percent higher than the pre-bid estimate of $11.5 million for the work.

Higher-than-expected bids for a riverfront amphitheater, meanwhile, have delayed that project, and the council is going out for new bids after making some modifications to the job. Bids in January came in 20 percent higher than estimated.

For the parking ramp, which includes a skywalk across First Avenue East, the council is expected to approve one add-on to the project. A facade improvement to the side of the ramp that's visible from First and Second avenues SE will add $124,000 to the cost. An additional $20,000 incentive is being recommended as well.

The six-story, 460-space ramp is slated to open next summer. Under the current proposal, the council won't add 75 more spaces and a seventh floor to the ramp because of the cost.

Meanwhile, modifications have been made to construction plans for the amphitheater to reduce costs. Those include the use of the ground lighting rather than overhead lighting; allowing flexibility in materials and shape for the stage; and pouring concrete for seating in place and not using precast units.

In January, the low bid for this part of the $8 million amphitheater project came in at $5.88 million - about $1 million more than pre-bid estimate.

The amphitheater, which will sit on the west bank of Cedar River across from downtown, also is being built as a levee to tie into a flood-protection system if the city builds one. The grading part of the construction is in place, with the top of the levee now looming above First Street SW.

The project also includes an adjoining Festival Park for parking, concessions, vendors and portable restrooms. The city, though, has not yet reached a purchase agreement with Thomas Knutson to buy his salvage yard, which sits between the amphitheater and Festival Park.

Also this week, the city is slated to go out for construction bids for the new Central Fire Station, the construction of which is estimated to cost $13 million. In addition, officials are seeking initial bids on site and foundation work for a parking ramp in the 600 block of Second Street SE.