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Council approves contract for Broadway LID

By John Larson

After years of planning and sending the project out to bid three times, Tacoma City Council voted 5-0 to award a contract for the Broadway local improvement district (LID) on April 29.

The contract in the amount of $10.98 million goes to Wm. Dickson Company. Perhaps fitting for a topic that has divided property owners within the area over the cost and method of counting votes, the council’s decision followed testimony in favor and against as well as an appeal of the award.

The project will upgrade underground utilities, sidewalks and streets in a northern section of downtown between city hall and Stadium District.

Jim Parvey from the city’s Public Works Department discussed the project during Tacoma City Council’s noon study session.

Work will begin on Broadway between Sixth Avenue and Second Street in June. In July work will get underway on vaulted sidewalks on Broadway south of Sixth Avenue. Parvey said in some areas these aging sidewalks are structurally unsound, so sections will be replaced between the entrance of buildings and the retaining walls.

Councilmember Jake Fey asked if the work would disrupt the holiday shopping season for merchants in the area. Parvey replied that city staff are working with business owners to make sure that work that gets underway this summer will be completed before the holiday season.

No streets will be completely blocked off during the work. Parvey said some will be restricted to one lane of traffic.

The council heard public testimony during their evening meeting.

William Riley, who owns or co-owns seven properties within the LID, spoke against awarding the contract. He said there is no provision to compensate owners whose business will be negatively affected by the construction.

Jim Krueger, a downtown attorney, mentioned that the majority of votes were against forming the LID. He said this is the first time the city has approved a LID under that condition and it sets a dangerous precedent.

Votes were tabulated on a weighted process, which took into account the value of a parcel or building.

Ken Abbott, who is involved with a group doing a development on Broadway, said a total of 117 people voted and 74 were in favor of the LID.

Fred King, who lives on Market Street, said his neighborhood needs the improvements. “All of downtown is turning into an exciting urban center.”

Nancy Brown said she lives in the Vintage Y condominiums and represented its board, which supports the LID. “I urge the council to walk your walk.”

Rick Jones, who owns a title business downtown, said the LID will give the area a needed improvement. “I want us all to look up and see the beautiful streetscape originally envisioned.”

Later the council heard an appeal of the contract award from Active Construction.

Connor McCarthy from the city attorney’s office began the proceeding. He told the council Active’s bid was $11.49 million. It filed a complaint regarding Taurus Electric, a subcontractor for Dickson. The issue is whether Taurus was on a list of pre-qualified contractors from the state. McCarthy said they were in 2007.

The city’s Contracts and Awards Board considered the complaint during its April 9 meeting and voted in favor of awarding the contract to Dickson.

Bob Marconi, an attorney for Active, claimed that neither Dickson nor Taurus were on the list for 2008. “It is a major irregularity,” he remarked.

Douglas Hale, an attorney for Dickson, said the confusion stems from the fact the project was put out to bid three times over two years. He urged the council to reject Active’s challenge.

“If you reject us, in a month you will have the third-lowest bidder in here contesting Active’s contract,” he remarked.

The council members were not swayed by Marconi’s testimony.

“It is time to have a vibrant downtown,” said Councilmember Marilyn Strickland prior to the vote. “This is a step in that direction.”

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