DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Award Bid And Execute Contract With Eureka Construction, Inc. To Provide General Contractor Services For Spring Lake Park Reserve Fischer Avenue Trailhead Project
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize award and execution of contract with Eureka Construction, Inc., to provide general contractor services for the Spring Lake Park Reserve (SLPR) Fischer Avenue Trailhead Project in an amount not to exceed $4,235,959.55.
SUMMARY
The 2024-2028 Parks Capital Improvement Program (CIP) adopted budget includes a project to design and construct a trailhead along Fischer Avenue within SLPR. The project will provide a destination for people traveling along the All-American Great River Road, which provides access to SLPR, its trail network, and amenities such as the newly created Bison Range. Specifically, the project will include improvements to Fischer Avenue, a new parking lot with accessible parking stalls, a bus drop-off lane, and a picnic shelter with restrooms. New paved trail connections will link the trailhead to the Mississippi River Greenway and form a Bison Range interpretive trail loop.
The Fischer Avenue trailhead received federal funds from the National Scenic Byways Program. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) acts as Dakota County’s agent in accepting federal funds on Dakota County’s behalf for the construction.
By Resolution No. 24-133 (March 12, 2024), the County Board approved the award of professional services with Miller Dunwiddie Architecture, Inc., to conduct design services for the project. In addition to addressing the County’s comments, staff and design consultants have worked with MnDOT to address the comments received during the review process. This includes relocating the trailhead further east along Fischer Avenue to avoid construction on sensitive habitat. Design consultants have incorporated all comments into an updated design and obtained the Board's Approval for Schematic Design by Resolution No. 24-426 (August 27, 2024).
Staff has worked with Miller Dunwiddie to create bid documents. A Request for Bids was advertised on March 13, 2025 and bids were received on April 8, 2025. One valid bid was received with the bid amount as follows:
Eureka Construction, Inc. Lakeville, MN $4,235,959.55
Because of the Federal funding of the project, the approval of the bidder includes a review process from the State of Minnesota (Transportation/State Aid and Office of Civil Rights). These processes increased the time required to bring this Board action. The bidder extended the date for which the bid remained valid to accommodate these extended, non-county processes. This contract amount is 12 percent above the last engineers estimate. However, by keeping changes to a minimum, staff believes it remains within the overall project budget.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends the construction contract for the Fischer Avenue Trailhead project be awarded to Eureka Construction, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $4,235,959.55.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
By Resolution No. 24-426 (August 27, 2024), the Board approved a transfer of the $2,615,783 in state bond funds from the SLPR Master Plan Improvements project into this project, increasing the approved budget from $2,780,000 to $5,395,783, which is sufficient for construction services.
Successful completion of this contract relies on $700,000 in Federal Funding from the National Scenic Byways Program, which was awarded to the County via competitive process and fully obligated in 2024.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the 2024-2028 Park Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Adopted Budget includes a project to design and construct a trailhead along Fischer Avenue within Spring Lake Park Reserve; and
WHEREAS, since April 2024, staff have worked with a design team led by Miller Dunwiddie Architecture, Inc. to progress the design and related review process; and
WHEREAS, on August 27, 2024, the County Board approved the schematic design as presented by County staff; and
WHEREAS, Miller Dunwiddie has prepared the construction documents, posted on March 4, 2025, and advertised in the Hastings Journal on March 13, 2025; and
WHEREAS, one valid bid was received on April 8, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Eureka Construction, Inc. submitted a bid of $4,235,959.55.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Facilities Management Director to execute a contract with Eureka Construction, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $4,235,959.55 for the Spring Lake Park Reserve Fischer Avenue Trailhead project, subject to approval by the MnDOT State Aid office, and County Attorney’s office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
24-133; 3/12/24
24-426; 8/27/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None.
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: Michael Lexvold
Author: Yao Xiao, Jay Biedny