DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Award Bid And Execute Contract With Ames Construction, Inc. For Construction Of Fort Snelling Segment Of Minnesota River Greenway In City Of Eagan And Amend 2025 Parks Capital Improvement Program Budget, County Project P00127
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize award and execute contract with Ames Construction, Inc. to provide general contractor services for the Fort Snelling segment of the Minnesota River Greenway and amend the 2025 Parks Capital Improvement budget to facilitate bridge construction.
SUMMARY
The Dakota County Board of Commissioners adopted the Minnesota River Greenway Plan by Resolution No.11-516 (October 18, 2011), with several segments and trailheads constructed in fulfillment of the plan. A 3.26-mile trail and a 0.32-mile pedestrian bridge through Fort Snelling State Park are the remaining segments needed to complete the greenway (Attachment: Project Map). Construction of the trail portion of the project began in November 2023 and is ongoing. Design and permitting of the bridge portion of the project was completed in 2024, and the County advertised for bids for construction of the project on February 14, 2025, with bids due on March 10, 2025. One bid was received by the deadline on March 10, 2025:
Bidder: Bid Amount
Ames Construction, Inc. $8,858,710
The apparent low bidder is Ames Construction, Inc. The low bid is approximately 28.2 percent higher than the engineer’s estimate of $6,908,069. A review of the bid showed that material costs related to several concrete components as well as the truss structure for the bridge accounted for the entirety of the cost difference between the estimate and the received bid. Staff at Bolton & Menk, Inc., design consultant and construction administrator for the greenway bridge, reviewed the bid and bidder qualifications and found the bid from Ames to be responsive and responsible. County staff further reviewed the bid and found it acceptable and also understands Ames Construction, Inc. to be capable of successfully delivering this project.
In preparation for construction of the bridge, the County is coordinating with Union Pacific Railroad to secure rights to build a construction access over their tracks and to construct the bridge adjacent to their right of way. Agreements previously authorized by Resolution No. 24-516 (October 29, 2024) outline track monitoring costs to be borne by the County, estimated at $500,000 based on the anticipated construction schedule.
Funding for bridge construction is anticipated to draw from several sources. In addition to a $5,000,000 state general fund award dedicated to bridge construction in 2023, Dakota County accepted $4,090,569 in Parks and Trails Legacy Fund grants through Resolution 21-320 (June 22, 2021) which can be partially dedicated to the project. Additional funding from the Sales and Use Tax is also requested to proceed with construction.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends award of the construction contract for the Fort Snelling segment of the Minnesota River Greenway to Ames Construction, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $8,858,710.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The adopted Parks Capital Improvement Plan includes a total project budget of $18,598,708, inclusive of expenditures for the trail portion of the project. $5,000,000 from the State of Minnesota general fund was dedicated towards bridge construction in 2023. An amendment of $4,858,710 is requested to proceed with bridge construction and cover anticipated monitoring costs, with $2,674,484 allocated from the previous Parks and Trails Legacy Fund award (Resolution 21-320; June 22, 2021), and $2,184,226 allocated from the Sales and Use Tax. This amendment assumes $500,000 for railroad monitoring expenses, and $500,000 for contingency.
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☒ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 11-516 (October 18, 2011), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners adopted the Minnesota River Greenway Plan; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County began construction of the trail portion of the Fort Snelling segment of the Minnesota River Greenway in November 2023; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County has completed design of the bridge portion of the Fort Snelling segment of the Minnesota River Greenway and has secured all required approvals and permits to advance the project into construction; and
WHEREAS, construction for the bridge portion of the Fort Snelling segment of the Minnesota River Greenway was advertised for bids on February 14, 2025, and
WHEREAS, Dakota County received one competitive bid by the March 10, 2025 deadline; and
WHEREAS, Ames Construction, Incorporated submitted a bid of $8,858,710; and
WHEREAS, staff and Bolton & Menk, Inc., reviewed the qualifications of the submitted bid and recommend award to Ames Construction, Incorporated as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in an amount not to exceed $8,858,710 for the Fort Snelling bridge segment of the Minnesota River Greenway; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County has identified anticipated costs totaling $500,000 related to railroad monitoring during the bridge construction process that are the responsibility of the County through agreements with Union Pacific Railroad authorized by Resolution No. 24-516 (October 29, 2024); and
WHEREAS, Dakota County received $5,000,000 from the State of Minnesota through a General Fund Grant Agreement to advance the construction of the Minnesota River Greenway; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution 21-320, Dakota County executed an agreement for a State of Minnesota Parks and Trails Legacy Fund grant in an amended amount of 4,090,569 that is eligible for use towards construction of the Minnesota River Greenway.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes its Parks Director to execute a contract with Ames Construction, Incorporated in an amount not to exceed $8,858,710 for the Fort Snelling bridge segment of the Minnesota River Greenway; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the 2025 Parks Capital Improvement Program budget is hereby amended as follows:
Expense
MRGW Fort Snelling $4,858,710.29
Total Expense $4,858,710.29
Revenue
Parks and Trail Legacy Fund $2,674,484.00
SUT $2,184,226.29
Total Revenue $4,858,710.29
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
11-516; 10/18/11
21-320; 6/22/21
24-516; 10/29/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Map
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Niki Geisler
Author: Joe Morneau