DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Award Bid And Execute Contract With Peterson Companies, Inc. To Provide General Contractor Services For Mississippi River Access At Bud's Landing Project In Spring Lake Park Reserve
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize award and execution of contract with Peterson Companies, Inc., to provide general contractor services for the Mississippi River Access at Bud’s Landing (MRABL) Project in Spring Lake Park Reserve (SLPR), in an amount not to exceed $1,795,000.
SUMMARY
By Resolution No. 21-313 (June 22, 2021), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners adopted the SLPR Masterplan, which outlines the development of the MRABL Project. By Resolution No. 23-444 (September 26, 2023), the 2024 Park’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Adopted Budget includes a project funding to develop the MRABL Project.
The MRABL, previously referred to as Bud’s Landing in SLPR, is currently used to provide limited public water access to the Mississippi River for waterfowl hunting and limited recreation. The current one-lane road connecting to MRABL is subject to erosion, and the road grade is steep and not accessibility compliant for pedestrian use. Additionally, minimal parking creates challenges for visitors and programming.
The project will create multiple access paths to Bud’s Landing, including an accessible pedestrian path connecting to Fischer Trailhead, a non-accessible soft trail connecting to Camp Spring Lake Retreat Center, and a vehicular access route. New facilities will include two small parking areas, a carry-in boat launch, an accessible floating pier, self-service kayak rentals, wayfinding and interpretation elements, picnic tables, portable toilets, a storage building, stormwater treatment features, and vegetation restoration. If the budget allows, the project will also provide a picnic shelter, an outdoor classroom, and fishing access points.
By Resolution No. 25-337 (July 8, 2025), SRF Consulting Group (SRF) was selected to provide professional design for the project. Staff collaborated with SRF to develop the schematic design. A public open house was held in person on September 30, 2025, and project materials were made available online for public comments. By Resolution No. 25-542 (November 18, 2025), the Board approved the schematic design.
The developed site will be open for waterfowl hunting between late September and November, starting in 2027. Three parking permits per day will be issued. During the waterfowl hunting period, MRABL will be closed to the Public.
The site has a long history of precontact use and habitation by Indigenous people and was previously identified on the Traditional Culture Properties Survey. In 2024, a non-invasive geotechnical survey was conducted to identify the specific nature of cultural sites in the project area. The initial survey found no evidence that would rule out development. With close communication with Tribal Partners, County staff initiated a design process to further identify the scope. In fall 2025, shovel testing was conducted by a licensed archaeologist under State Historical Preservation Office regulations. Based on the result, staff worked with Tribal Partners to modify the design to minimize the impact on the Cultural Resource.
The location of the project has rich natural resources. Some species of interest include pearly mussel, northern long-eared bats, kitten-tails, and rusty patched bumble bee. The site is currently under review by multiple related agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Based on the communication with these agencies, efforts have been made to protect endangered species, such as removing trees in winter and hand-clearing trees in specific areas. A licensed rare species surveyor conducted a survey within the construction limits to confirm there are no kitten-tails, a State-listed threatened species, on site. The remaining permit, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, will be completed before the construction.
Wetland delineation was conducted in September 2025. Based on the result, the team modified the design to minimize the wetland impact. However, to create access to the water, the project needs to encroach upon approximately 300 square feet of existing wetland. The design team and County staff are working with Nininger Township on a wetland mitigation application.
Staff has worked with SRF to create bid documents. A request for bids was advertised on April 21, 2026, and bids were received on May 19, 2026. Six bids were received with the bid amounts as follows:
Bidder: Base Bid Alternate One Alternate Two Total
Peterson Companies, Inc. $ 1,621,000 $134,000 $ 40,000 $1,795,000
Rachel Contracting, LLC $ 1,715,775 $110,000 $ 38,500 $1,864,275
Veit Company $ 1,695,530 $144,090 $ 67,249 $1,906,869
Max Steininger, Inc. $ 1,798,500 $110,000 $ 53,600 $1,962,100
Sunram Construction $ 1,852,400 $140,000 $ 38,300 $2,030,700
Urban Companies $ 2,191,000 $150,000 $ 30,000 $2,371,000
Two alternates were used to support the bidding outcome. Alternate One includes a pavilion attached to a storage building to create covered picnicking. Alternate Two adds boulders in three locations: at fishing nodes, at the outdoor classroom, and as dividers along the upper-level parking. Bids, including both alternates, were $605,000 under the final third-party cost estimate.
Staff recommends the base bid and both alternates as most beneficial to users. The budget supports this scope.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Base bid and both alternates are under budget. Staff recommends the Base Bid and both alternates for the MRABL Project be awarded to Peterson Companies, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $1,795,000
EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The Parks and Greenways Capital Improvement Program includes $4,632,230 for County Project 2000410 MRABL. There is sufficient project budget available to fund the contract with Peterson Companies, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $1,795,000.
2000410 Mississippi River Access at Bud’s Landing
|
Funding Source |
Total Approved Budget |
Available Budget |
|
Environmental Legacy Fund (ELF) fund balance |
$400,000 |
$400,000 |
|
State Direct Appropriation (Omnibus Environment and Natural Resources Finance Bill) |
$400,000 |
$328,605 |
|
State Parks and Trails Legacy Fund (Metropolitan Council) |
$2,077,230 |
$1,977,766 |
|
Environmental and Natural Resource Trust Fund (Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources) |
$1,755,000 |
$1,430,463 |
|
Total |
$4,632,230 |
$4,136,834 |
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 21-313 (June 22, 2021), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners adopted the Spring Lake Park Reserve Masterplan, which outlines the development of the Mississippi River Access at Bud’s Landing (MRABL) Project; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 23-444 (September 26, 2023), the 2024 Parks Capital Improvement Program Adopted Budget includes a project to design and construct the MRABL Project; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 25-337 (July 8, 2025), SRF Consulting Group (SRF) was selected to provide professional design for the project; and
WHEREAS, staff reviewed the initial concept with Tribal Partners virtually on September 2, 2025; and
WHEREAS, a public open house was held in person on September 30, 2025, and project materials were made available online for public comments; and
WHEREAS, schematic design was developed, incorporating the result of wetland delineation and archaeological survey; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 25-542 (November 18, 2025), the Board approved the schematic design; and
WHEREAS, the staff worked with SRF to prepare the bid documents, which were advertised on April 21, 2026; and
WHEREAS, six competitive bids were received on May 19, 2026; and
WHEREAS, Peterson Companies, Inc. submitted a bid of $1,795,000; and
WHEREAS, staff and SRF reviewed the qualifications of the bidder and recommend award to Peterson Companies, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in an amount not to exceed $1,795,000 for the MRABL Project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Facilities Management Director to execute a contract with Peterson Companies, Inc., 8326 Wyoming Trail, Chisago City, in an amount not to exceed $1,795,000 for Mississippi River Access at Bud’s Landing Project, subject to the County Attorney’s office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
21-313; 06/22/21
23-444; 09/26/23
24-007; 09/24/24
25-337; 07/08/25
25-542; 11/19/25
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Location
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: Yao Xiao