Civic Center Park renovation awarded and TID funding increased after bids exceed budget

The La Crosse City Council awarded a $766,662 contract to Fowler & Hammer Inc. for the Civic Center Park renovation and approved additional funding from Tax Incremental District (TID) 17 after the single bid exceeded the staff’s original budget.

A public works staff member explained that the project had originally budgeted $450,000 from TID 11 but only one bid was received and it was over budget. "When we went out to bid, we got 1 bid. It came in over budget... in order to get this project through using TID11 money, it has to be under contract by October 12," the staff member said, explaining the need to add funds from TID 17 to keep the project moving and to construct in 2027. (Staff member)

Councilmember Calo moved to award the contract to Fowler & Hammer Inc.; the motion was seconded and passed. Council later approved an amended appropriation to move additional unspent TID funds to the Civic Center Park CIP so the project can proceed to contract before the TID11 deadline.

Next steps: Staff will finalize the contract and proceed with project scheduling to meet the Oct. 12 deadline necessary to apply TID11 funds.