Adams County approves bid schedule for Justin Willows Field restroom pavilion, seeks city help on sewer tie-in

The Adams County Board of Supervisors voted to advertise for bids on a restroom pavilion at Justin Willows Field, approving a construction timetable and preliminary cost estimate while directing staff to work with the city on a sewer tie-in that the county said may require separate funding.

County staff member Christopher told the board the construction documents are complete and recommended the board authorize advertising on Oct. 20, hold a pre-bid conference Nov. 4, open bids Nov. 18, and consider award at the board's Dec. 1 meeting. A notice to proceed would follow and staff estimated 75 calendar days for construction, putting completion in late February if the sewer tie-in is resolved.

The cost estimate supplied to the board was within a $250,000 grant/loan program the county has available; Christopher said the estimate includes approximately $20,000 in phase‑1 design fees and that his overall design contract totals roughly $40,000 split between two phases. He said the drawings show a sewer stub-out of about 10 feet from the building and that the town’s records indicate a manhole invert about 5 feet below the proposed tie point. He cautioned that a formal survey could alter that assessment and that utility work to reach the manhole would likely be done by the town or its contractor and is outside the current bid scope.

Supervisor Gaines moved to put the project out to bid, with language added that the county will continue to work with the city to arrange the sewer tie-in and clarify who will pay and perform that work. The motion passed without recorded opposition.

Board members pressed staff on whether phase 2 design work should continue; Christopher said phase 2 (locker-room renovation) remains in the signed contract but that the related grant only covers $250,000 per project, so any phase 2 work would need separate approval and likely be funded in a future grant cycle. Christopher said he will confirm the grant timing with Lynette and follow up with written clarification.

The board’s approval authorizes staff to finalize advertisement documents and publish the bid notice subject to continued coordination with the city on the sewer tie-in. If the sewer connection is not in place by construction completion, Christopher said the restroom could be built but not be operable until the tie-in is finished; he added bids could come in under estimate and that may reduce overall cost.

The board did not set a dollar commitment for the town’s sewer work and did not approve any payment for that civil connection at the meeting. Staff was directed to pursue written confirmation from the city and to return with any additional funding requests if the city does not perform the tie-in.