Council approves design contract for Innovation Park expansion

Gunnison City Council on July 15 approved moving forward with engineering design work for the Innovation Park expansion and authorized contracting Enzyme Engineering to complete design, bidding and construction administration.

Staff said the project is roughly estimated at more than $600,000; known funding includes $440,000 from the state, $90,000 from Trust Lands Administration (via a land-for-well trade) and an unexpected $25,000 from Sanpete County, plus the city’s budgeted match. That funding package allows the city to proceed with preliminary design.

Enzyme Engineering previously completed survey and preliminary work in the area, staff said, and presented a scope and fee for full design and bidding services estimated at about $45,000. Councilors who had worked with the firm previously supported awarding the work to Enzyme to avoid delay.

The motion to award the design services passed on a roll-call vote; staff will proceed with geotechnical work, road alignment and the detailed design package so the project can be bid later in the year.