Council rejects bids for downtown paving phase 3, directs staff to rebid

City staff told the council that two bids were received for the Downtown Central Business District paving, rehabilitation and landscape phase 3: a low bid of $1,669,716.21 from KSL and a second bid of $2,053,833.00 from Jones Plan of Tulsa. The project originally had about $1,169,000 budgeted, leaving what staff characterized as an unmanageable shortfall.

Staff recommended rejecting all bids and re‑advertising the project with the base scope separated from alternate work so the city could pursue smaller pieces that fit the available funding. "The recommendation of the staff is to reject all bids and re‑advertise the project," staff said during the presentation.

Council members and staff discussed reasons bids may have been high, including missed mandatory pre‑bid attendance by some contractors and local contractors’ capacity. Councilman Kirkpatrick said the city is hopeful rebidding and packaging alternates could attract better pricing and local firms that missed the first bid window.

Council action: a motion to reject all bids and direct staff to rework the bid package and rebid passed on council vote.

Why it matters: the project is part of the half‑cent capital improvement sales tax program; delaying or rebidding phase 3 affects downtown construction timing and may require the city to reallocate discretionary funds or redesign the project scope.

Ending: Staff will return with a revised bid strategy and funding options; no contractor was awarded at the April 6 meeting.