DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Contract With CM Construction Company, Inc. For Construction For Phase I Veterans Memorial Greenway Memorial Plazas In Inver Grove Heights, County Project P00147
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize a construction contract with CM Construction Company, Inc. to complete the Phase I greenway memorial node construction work for County Project (CP) P00147, Veterans Memorial Greenway in Inver Grove Heights (Attachment: Project Location). The memorial plazas include the Missing In Action (MIA) Prairie, number 5, near Akron Avenue and Places We Served, number 6, near Rich Valley Boulevard (County Highway 71).
SUMMARY
To enrich lives by providing high-quality recreation and education opportunities in harmony with natural resource preservation and stewardship, Dakota County is proceeding with the Veterans Memorial Greenway (VMG). The long-range plan was approved by the County Board by Resolution No. 17-493 (September 26, 2017). Phase I construction of this Greenway regional trail was authorized by the County Board by Resolution No. 24-188 (April 9, 2024) and constructed in 2024-2025. The trail constructed included about two miles of 10’ wide shared-use trail, a new tunnel under County Highway 71, native prairie seeding, Greenway Wayfinding, and a mid-block crossing of County Highway 73 into Rich Valley Park. Additional landscaping construction will be completed by a separate construction contract starting in the fall of 2025.
Timeline: The greenway memorial plazas will begin construction in the fall of 2025, be substantially completed by December 2025, and be fully completed in 2026.
Bids Received: Bids were received and tabulated on August 5, 2025 (Attachment: Bid Tabulation). Four bidders submitted bids as follows:
Bidder Bid Amount
CM Construction Company, Inc. $375,900.00
Pember Companies, Inc. $415,181.50
Urban Companies $619,316.00
Parkstone Contracting, LLC $693,985.00
The engineer’s estimate for the construction of (CP P00147) is $317,900.00. The lowest and most responsible bid is $375,900.00 from CM Construction Company, Inc., which is 18 percent higher than estimate, and 45 percent lower than the highest bid. Staff has reviewed the bids and determined that the low bid was competitive at the time of bidding.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends awarding the bid to CM Construction Company, Inc. for construction of the VMG, Phase I memorial nodes in the amount of $375,900.00 for CP P00147.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The adopted 2025 Parks Capital Improvement Program currently includes a budgeted amount of $13,000,000 in County funds for P00147. The project also has $5,000,000 in secured State Bonding from the 2020 legislative session, $5,000,000 in State Bonding from the 2023 legislative session, and $4,995,000 in Federal Congressional Directed spending for a total available funds of $27,250,000. Additionally, the County has secured a $1,000,000 federal appropriation for the Highway 3 grade-separated bridge. Successful completion of this project relies upon the $5,995,000 Federal Congressionally Directed Spending allocation. The board adopted Memorial Plan included language about fundraising for enhanced memorials which could involve authorizing grant and legislative requests or appropriations. The state bonding awards and federal appropriations included language that the funds will be used for acquisition of land and right-of-way, design, engineering and construction for the Veterans Memorial Greenway, including pedestrian safety-related improvements, memorials, a community gathering space, and a new trail connection between Lebanon Hills Regional Park and the Mississippi River Greenway. Sufficient funding is available for the construction of the memorial nodes.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, to provide high-quality recreational and educational opportunities in harmony with natural resource preservation and to honor Dakota County’s more-than 25,000 veterans, Dakota County is proceeding with the Veterans Memorial Greenway County Project (P00147); and
WHEREAS, the Veterans Memorial Greenway Phase I is the first segment of regional trail to be secured, designed, and constructed in order to connect the Lebanon Hills Greenway in Eagan to the Mississippi River Greenway in Inver Grove Heights; and
WHEREAS, the Veterans Memorial Greenway Phase I regional trail was constructed in 2024-2025 and included two miles of trail starting 500’ west of the intersection of Alameda Path and Cliff Road in Inver Grove Heights and extending east along Cliff Road through Flint Hills property and then ending at Rich Valley Park; and
WHEREAS, staff advertised the Phase I memorial node construction contract (P00147) on July 1, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the bid of CM Construction Company, Inc. in the amount of $375,900 was the lowest responsive and responsible bid received; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Park’s Capital Improvement Program Budget has sufficient funds to accommodate the construction contract.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby awards the bid to and authorizes the Parks Director to execute the contract with CM Construction Company, Inc. for the construction work (CP P00147) associated with the Veterans Memorial Greenway Phase I Segment Memorial Nodes, in the amount of $375,900 based on their low bid, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
17-493; 9/26/17
24-188; 4/9/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Location Map
Attachment: Bid Tabulation
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: Tony Wotzka