Morganton awards $441,515 contract for Bethel Park restrooms; foundation to contribute $340,261

The City of Morganton voted to award a $441,515 construction contract to Ridgeline Building Corporation of Morganton for the Bethel Park restroom facilities and associated parking improvements.

Brian Fish, who briefed council on the park project, said the restroom will be sited near the main entrance bridge and that the work includes parking reconfigurations and a shade structure for a small dog park. Staff received nine informal bids and recommended Ridgeline as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder. Council approved the base bid and two alternates covering the parking and site improvements.

Council also approved a 5% contingency of $22,076 to be managed by staff for potential change orders and accepted a restricted contribution of $340,261 from the Morganton Recreation Foundation to help match grant funds. In separate actions, the council approved a budget amendment to accept the foundation contribution and a second amendment to reduce the project budget by $79,901 to account for unused contingency.

Why it matters: The contract completes the remaining major work for Bethel Park, which councilmembers called a widely anticipated community amenity.

Brian Fish thanked the construction and design teams and said the remaining fencing, dog‑park shade structure and restroom installation will be completed in the coming weeks and months. All motions related to the contract, contingency and budget amendments were approved by voice vote.