Concrete pavers will replace asphalt as part of the upgrade and expansion of parking lot improvements at the Ripon Community Center.

The project is intended to improve parking capacity, circulation, and the quality and safety of the city's baseball facilities.

The Ripon City Council awarded a $2,586,477 contract to Dirt Dynasty Inc. during a special Wednesday meeting.

The work includes:

*Relocating the middle baseball field to the west to accommodate approximately 40 new parking spaces and provide a connection between the two existing parking lots.

*Reconstructing the existing parking lots with concrete pavers and provide new lighting and storm drainage improvements.

*Reconstructing the north baseball field and relocating middle baseball fields, including new backstops, dugouts, fencing, and other field improvements to provide safer and higher-quality facilities for the city's youth baseball programs.

The engineer's estimate for the complete project is $2,257,175.

At the July City Council meeting, the City Council rejected the sole bid received for the project in the amount of $3,108,581.

The bid exceeded the engineer's estimate by approximately $851,000.

The City Council directed staff to re-advertise the project in an effort to obtain additional competition and more favorable construction pricing.

In response to the previous bid, staff revised the bidding strategy to provide the City with greater flexibility and discretion in determining the scope of work to be awarded.

The Base Bid included the primary project improvements but excluded improvements to the rear parking lot.

The Alternate Bid includes the rear parking lot improvements. Contractors were required to submit both a Base Bid and a Base Bid + Alternate amount.

That process led to more bide being received and gave the city the ability to get all of the work done closer to the engineer’s estimate.