Richmond parks board recommends $5.45 million build‑operate‑transfer agreement for Whitewater Gorge project

The Richmond Parks and Recreation Board voted to recommend a Build‑Operate‑Transfer agreement that carries a guaranteed maximum price of $5,450,000 for the Whitewater Gorge project to the Board of Public Works and Safety and the Richmond Common Council.

Denise (speaker 2), who presented the recommendation, said the project team had worked through a scoping process and "the recommendation is for the guaranteed maximum price of . . . $5,450,000." Katie Clark (speaker 6), the MKSK representative involved in design and coordination, described the BOT approach as a way to refine scope and timelines while meeting grant requirements and stakeholders’ expectations.

Dan Lawson (speaker 8), a partner with GM Development Company, confirmed the firm’s commitment at the guaranteed maximum price and said the model allowed team collaboration during scoping to reduce later change orders: "GM Development is guaranteeing that guaranteed maximum price," he said.

Carly (speaker 11), representing RL Turner as the construction partner, outlined early permitting and construction timing for two primary sites. For the Weir Dam site she said permitting is expected through early fall, with construction running from fall into early spring and the site expected to be usable by the public in the first part of next year. For the Stargenet site she said work is expected to begin in spring 2027 and finish by the end of 2027; Carly cautioned that permitting at Stargenet will take longer given site specifics.

Board members asked about overlap with adjacent railroad work and who will assume maintenance once construction is complete. Carly said contractors on nearby work "are staying in their area" and do not anticipate conflict with the parks project. When asked who is responsible for ongoing maintenance, Denise said the council will help clarify funding and that staff are planning for year‑one, year‑two and year‑three maintenance needs, stressing that hiring and retaining necessary maintenance staff is the first priority.

The presentation emphasized that the BOT agreement and exhibits have been reviewed by the owner’s representative (Veritas), MKSK, legal counsel and engineering. Denise said the Board of Works will review the contracts and that the Common Council would consider a resolution (cited in the meeting as Resolution 18‑2026) on Monday to authorize the agreement’s next steps.

Votes at a glance
• Motion to recommend the BOT agreement with GM Development to the Board of Public Works and Safety and the Richmond Common Council: moved by Board member (speaker 9), seconded; board voted to recommend approval by voice vote.
• Approval of the interlocal agreement for county floodplain administrator with agreed changes: moved and approved by voice vote.
• Approval of the May 7, 2026 minutes: moved and approved.

Context and funding notes
Denise also reported department finance updates in the same meeting: food and beverage tax receipts rose to about $109,000 this month (up from $90,000 reported the previous month). She confirmed a fountain restoration contract was returned for processing and that about $50,000 in private donations plus $50,000 from IHCDA were in hand for that project; the department expects to cover the remaining roughly $64,000 of the fountain project from food and beverage proceeds. Staff also discussed a separate irrigation pump project quoted near $140,000–$148,100 and a package procurement that will include playgrounds, splash pad, picnic tables and 50 new trash cans.

What happens next
The board’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of Public Works and Safety for contract review, and Common Council will consider Resolution 18‑2026 to authorize the agreement. Separately, the board approved the interlocal floodplain administrator changes and deferred a pickleball agreement to a future meeting. The board adjourned following routine closing remarks.