Fort Smith Board set to approve first round of water park contracts

The Fort Smith Board of Directors will vote on a set of resolutions related to more than $6 million in bids for the Ben Geren Aquatics Center prior to Tuesday's (April 22) study session.

The action, to be taken as part of a special session of the Board, will approve 29 contracts totaling $6.267 million, according to a memo to the Board from Deputy City Administrator Jeff Dingman.

"You will notice that structural steel and steel erection did not receive bids, and Flintco (the project's construction manager) will carry an allowance for getting that particular work accomplished, as noted," Dingman wrote.

The resolution awarding the 29 contracts "also includes award of a Utilities Department project for extension of water & sewer mains to the aquatic center site in the amount of $142,915 to Forsgren, Inc. of Fort Smith," he added.

Another resolution to be voted on by the Board would amend the fee schedule for Tulsa, Okla.-based Flintco to $466,530 based on construction costs of $9.348 million. Original construction manager fees for the company had been set at $371,250 based on a $7.5 million construction cost.

"The resolution goes on to establish the Construction Manager's Guaranteed Maximum Price of $9,763,852 for all construction phases of the project," Dingman said, adding that including fees to be paid to Larkin Auatics and money to pay for furniture, fixtures and a point of sale system bring the total cost of the project to $10.897 million. Between the city and Sebastian County, both governments had committed a combined $10.9 million for the project.

"Both resolutions need to be adopted and approved in order to keep our project moving," he said. "We are still on schedule for opening Memorial Day Weekend, 2015."

Following the opening of the bids, County Judge David Hudson told The City Wire that the Quorum Court was not required by law to approve the bids.