Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Title
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Agreement with Terra General Contractors LLC for Battle Creek Waterworks Remodel Part 2 Design Build
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the selection of and agreement with Terra General Contractors LLC, 21025 Commerce Boulevard, Suite 1000, Rogers, MN 55374 for Part 2 Design-Build services for the Battle Creek Waterworks Remodel Project, for the period of contract execution through December 30, 2026, in the amount of $5,066,682.
2. Accept and approve the updated Battle Creek Waterworks Remodel Project estimated budget and financing plan in the amount of $5,537,254.
3. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the agreement.
4. Authorize the County Manager to reallocate funds from previously approved Parks & Recreation capital projects to fund the Battle Creek Waterworks Remodel Project.
5. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and amendments to agreements, in accordance with the county's procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of available funding.
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Background and Rationale
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Ramsey County owns and operates the Battle Creek Waterworks waterpark facility located on 1.5 acres at 2401 Upper Afton Road East, Maplewood, Minnesota 55119. The waterpark was constructed in 2000 to serve the community as a family waterpark within the Ramsey County regional park system. It currently hosts approximately 25,000 visitors each season from early June through mid-August. As the facility is nearing 25 years old, immediate needs include repairs to mechanical systems, American with Disabilities Act accessibility upgrades, energy efficiency upgrades, pool improvements, and new amenities to enhance the user experience. This remodel will attract a broader age demographic, reduce annual maintenance and operational burdens and modernize the amenity.
The Battle Creek Waterworks Project will be funded through a combination of state bonding, state Legacy Amendment funding and Metropolitan Council funds.
Project services will be provided through a two-phase approach. Each part is subject to a separate agreement:
• Part 1 was completed in the fall of 2024 and resulted in a design of sufficient detail to permit the proposer to arrive at a Guaranteed Maximum Price for the project.
• Part 2 includes development of construction documents, bidding packages which will providing complete construction phase services, including construction management.
During the 2023 Minnesota legislative session, modernization funding was approved by the legislature to support infrastructure projects within the regional parks and trails system.
In February 2024, the Ramsey County Board authorized the County Manger to establish a project budget for the Battle Creek Waterworks remodel and on July 23, 2024, the Ramsey County board approved the project budget and financing plan.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The Battle Creek waterpark serves the racially and ethnically diverse population of Maplewood and Saint Paul. While this is a regionally recognized amenity, improvements to the waterpark will directly benefit local community. The waterpark provides seasonal employment opportunities of which Parks & Recreation has been successful in increasing the percentage of racially diverse staff who work at the waterpark. There are opportunities to advance contracting and workforce inclusion efforts through the construction project. Parks has stated diverse workforce goals within the vendor agreement for the construction project.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Engagement activities were developed and prioritized for equity, inclusivity, maximizing voices heard, and geographic representation. Equity analysis outcomes provided a direct benefit to significant populations of people of color. Community engagement was conducted at the facility in August of 2023, asking users about their preferred amenities, food and snack policy at the facility and group rentals. Results were disaggregated by race to identify differences in needs, though no discernable difference was discovered. Of the responses, 51% identified as White, 20% as Black or African American, 14% as Asian or Pacific Islander, 8% as Multiracial, and 4% as Hispanic/Latinx. Results from the engagement has factored heavily in decision-making during the design process. In May of 2024 design options and engagement results were brought to the Parks Advisory Commission for discussion and feedback which resulted in positive feedback and refinement of preferred amenities.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Design work and planning revealed that the waterpark will need to be closed during the 2025 season. Parks submitted a “major changes” form to Finance noting the fiscal impact to the 2025 budget. The overall 2025 Parks & Recreation operating budget is projected to be a balanced despite the temporary closure of the waterpark. Parks will submit a budget for the 2026-2027 budget process that will reflect utilization of the redeveloped waterpark facility. The 2026-2027 waterpark operational budgets are expected to be balanced.
Last Previous Action
On September 17, 2024, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners pledged completion of the Battle Creek Waterworks Remodel to Minnesota Management and Budget for Release of Bond Funding (Resolution B2024-176).
Attachments
1. Project Budget and Finance Plan
2. Part 2 Agreement