Weatherford council approves $3.8 million contract for Northwest Downtown street rehabilitation

Weatherford’s City Council voted unanimously to authorize the city manager to execute a construction contract with Fane Group Inc. not to exceed $3,797,572 for the Northwest Downtown Street Rehabilitation Project.

Public Works Director Chad Marbick told the council the project will replace concrete storefront to storefront, bring sidewalks and curb ramps into ADA compliance, and replace significant water, wastewater and stormwater utilities while adding streetscape elements such as planters and decorative lighting. "The scope is complete concrete replacement from storefront to storefront," Marbick said, adding that electric franchise work to place utilities underground started in August 2022.

Staff described a 300‑calendar‑day schedule to substantial completion (330 days to final closeout), 13 mandatory blackout days when no construction will occur during key events, and 10 discretionary blackout days the city may invoke. Marbick said the city recommended awarding the base bid plus the night‑work add alternate so most loud or dusty activity can occur at night. "Doing the night work is because all of that would be done at night," Marbick said, explaining that night work reduces daytime noise, dust and vibration for downtown merchants.

Marbick said the winning contractor has references for downtown projects and that the bid came in about 3 percent above the city’s estimate; the night‑work add alternate represented roughly a 10 percent additional cost. Staff and the city’s consultant recommended the contractor based on experience with intrusive downtown work and plans to coordinate staging, pedestrian access and merchant communication.

Council members asked about parking and coordination with nearby facilities. Marbick said courthouse parking will not be affected and that the contractor must submit detailed phasing and pedestrian access plans. He said staging will use city‑owned property off Elm Street and that the contractor will be accountable for utilities and roadway improvements under a single contract.

The council voted 4–0 to approve the contract and related authorization. With the contract in place, staff said they expect to mobilize in late summer and aim to reach substantial completion before the next Peach Festival, subject to mobilization timing and contingencies.