Coralville will restart the search for a contractor to build its $54 million recreation center, though the decision isn’t expected to affect the construction timeline.
The Coralville City Council opted to relaunch the process for a «construction manager at-large» on Tuesday, Feb. 10, two weeks after the council narrowly denied Davenport-based Russell Group Development & Construction to lead construction over concerns about transparency.
City Administrator Kelly Hayworth estimated that the entire «construction manager at-large» process, including interviews, reference calls, and firm construction cost estimates, could be completed in about a month. The initial search took several months the first time around, when staff suggested the Russell Group.
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Under Iowa law, cities can select a contractor to «provide consultant services» during the pre-construction phase in collaboration with the design team, guaranteeing the contractor will build the project at a price presented to the city.
The new Coralville Recreation Center & Natatorium is expected to cost around $54 million, including $48 million for construction. The project is being financed through bonds, which will be paid with revenue from the city’s local option sales tax, effective July 1.
The new rec center, which will be built just east of the current facility in S.T. Morrison Park, will include three basketball courts, three pools, a walking track, and a weight room.
One of the three pools will be used for the swim meets at Iowa City West and Iowa City Liberty.