Bid for downtown project approved

SANDPOINT — City Council members approved a bid last month for the second phase of the downtown revitalization project, which is set to begin after Labor Day.

After receiving two bids in July, council awarded the contract to Sonray Enterprises, LLC., for a total price of $2,192,652.20. In addition, bidders were allowed to price an “acceleration bonus” for completing the entire project by Thanksgiving, Public Works Director Amanda Wilson said during the July 17 council meeting. Contractually, the project must be completed by June 5, 2020.

“If they complete the project by Thanksgiving, the incentive bonus is $200,000,” Wilson said. “But it, again, is optional — it is not a contractual requirement that they actually get the project done by (Thanksgiving).”

The second phase of the project will mirror improvements made to Cedar Street last year, including wider sidewalks, seat walls and planters, stormwater improvements, nearly 50 new trees, new bike racks, benches, lighting and more. The bid, which falls within the city’s budget for the project, also includes concrete crosswalks at the intersection of Main and First.

The project focus is on First Avenue, from where crews left off at Second and Cedar last year, around the corner to First and down to Church Street.

The primary source of funding for the total project estimate of $8.2 million is the Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency, which will reimburse the city $7,782,000 over the course of 12 years for the downtown revitalization. The rest of the funds will come from the city and an Idaho Community Development Block Grant of $335,000 to be used primarily for the lighting and electrical work.

Per the construction timeline, First Avenue will be closed to motorists from Main Street, around the corner to Cedar and Second. The rest of the project area on First, from Main to Church, will close on Sept. 15. Pedestrian access to businesses will be maintained at all times, Wilson said.

By the end of October, the streets will be back open to traffic, and substantial completion is required by Lost in the ‘50s, with full completion by June 5 — unless the contractor finishes the project by Thanksgiving, of course. Crews will be allowed to work around the clock in order to achieve the early completion.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.