Riverfront Park Phase 1 closes out at $9.9 million

WENATCHEE — Chelan County PUD has formally closed out the first phase of improvements to Wenatchee Riverfront Park at a final construction contract cost of nearly $9.9 million before sales tax.

Commissioners on Aug. 17 accepted the completed work by East Wenatchee-based KRCI and ratified five change orders that added a net $232,345.01 to the original $9.67 million construction contract.

The changes brought the final contract amount to $9,904,845.01, an increase of about 2.4 percent from the amount commissioners approved in November 2023. PUD staff determined all work under the contract was complete Aug. 3.

The highly visible project reshaped several areas along the Columbia River waterfront and Apple Capital Loop Trail.

Phase 1 included widening and, in some areas, separating sections of the Loop Trail to improve safety and traffic flow between pedestrians or joggers and those using bicycles or scooters. The work also added a Columbia River steamboat-themed splash pad and nearby picnic pavilion at Fifth Street, along with an apple-themed children's play area and new restroom near the Train Depot Plaza north of Pybus Public Market.

Additional work included landscaping with native trees, shrubs and flowers and relocation of some public art within the park.

The five change orders covered adjustments made over the course of construction, including changes to the project's scope and pricing and modifications to trail improvements.

The largest increase was $162,120.66 for scope and pricing adjustments. Modifications to trail improvement work added another $88,902.95, while additional work needed for project completion added $45,600.77.

Those increases were partially offset by a $64,279.37 reduction associated with other scope changes, unit-price adjustments and a contract time extension.

Another change order extended the warranty for the splash pad smokestack at no additional cost.

The PUD described the changes as work or conditions that were not anticipated or included in the original contract but remained within the project's overall scope.

Under PUD policy, staff had authority to execute the individual change orders during construction, with commissioners required to ratify them as part of the final project acceptance.

Commissioners' Aug. 17 action also authorized the release of retainage associated with the contract. KRCI had provided a bond in lieu of retainage equal to 5 percent of the contract price.

The Riverfront Park improvements were developed through a multiyear planning process aimed at updating the waterfront while preserving its role as a public recreation corridor along the Columbia River.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media