8.A.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 02/17/2026
- From:
- David Pedersen, Capital Improvements Project Manager
TITLE:
Consideration and Approval of Contract: JWP Blvd. Extension Project - CMAR Design Phase Services Contract
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
- Approve the Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR) Design Phase Services Contract to J. Banicki Construction, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $198,760.00, which includes an $8,000.00 utility potholing contingency. The contract period is 365 calendar days.
- Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Executive Summary:
- The recommended award of the CMAR Design Phase Services Contract (the Contract) to J. Banicki Construction, Inc. will authorize an agreement for the CMAR design phase services to assist with the Design of the JWP Extension Project (the Project) in coordination with Peak Engineering, Inc. and ultimately develop a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for construction.
- J. Banicki Construction, Inc. (Banicki Construction) was selected through a Qualifications-Based selection process.
- The design of the Project is anticipated to be completed in Fall 2026.
- The first GMP for grading is anticipated to be presented to Council in Spring 2026.
- Pending approval by Council, construction of the Project is anticipated to begin in Fall 2026 and completion anticipated in Fall 2028 (2 construction seasons).
- Please refer to the attached context and vicinity maps.
Financial Impact:
The funding for the design phase services of the JWP Extension Project Contract will come from Transportation Tax, Proposition 419 funding in the amount of $198,760.00. The Fourth Street/JWP Extension budget allocation has $8,750,000 for FY2025-26. Funds for this contract will come from account 048-10-117-3369-6.
Policy Impact:
No impact.
Previous Council Decision or Community Discussion:
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The JW Powell Extension Project has been before City Council sixteen times in the past nine years.
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On 20 February 2018, City Council approved the contract with Peak Engineering, Inc. for the John Wesley Powell Area Specific Plan Study to develop a Specific Plan to guide the future private development of public infrastructure, utilities and public facilities (schools, fire/police stations, libraries, parks, etc.).
In November 2018, voters approved Proposition 419 which allocated a proportional share of funding for roadway and bike and pedestrian improvements along the future John Wesley Powell Boulevard extension.
On 27 October 2020, City Staff and the JW Powell Design Team presented an update to City Council regarding the current design work and the Land Use Framework.
On 28 January 2021, the JW Powell Design Team conducted a corporate meeting with the small-parcel property owners and consequential one-on-one meetings with small-parcel property owners who requested to meet regarding specifics to their respective parcels.
Starting in May 2021, the JW Powell Design Team began to meet with the large-parcel property owners individually.
On 28 June and 7 July 2022, City Council, along with copious community input, selected the final alignment for the new JWP roadway extension. The final alignment shifts the alignment to the west and out of the South Fourth Street corridor.
On 3 December 2024, City Council approved three separate development agreements to secure the location of the JWP extension.
On 14 May 2025, the City of Flagstaff held a second Open House for the general public, following up on the initial April meeting to gather feedback from property owners. This Open House followed the same format, with stations on the specific plan process, transportation, land use, housing, and services, trails, and open space and wildlife staffed by project team members and topic experts. Feedback from these meetings has informed the plan’s content. It is anticipated that the draft plan will be made publicly available late spring 2026 for review and comment and staff will present the draft plan to various commissions including the Transportation Commission and the Open Space Commission, and to various community groups. After public feedback has been incorporated as appropriate, the plan will go to Planning and Zoning Commission for recommendation of approval and then to City Council for final adoption. It is anticipated that final adoption will occur in winter 2026 or early spring 2027.
Options and Alternatives to Recommended Action:
- Approve the Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR) Design Phase Services Contract to J. Banicki Construction, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $198,760.00 for 365 calendar days; or
- Reject the contract, which will delay the project and likely impact the development agreements with property owners.
Background and History:
Procurement staff developed a Request for Statement of Qualifications (RSOQ) solicitation for CMAR Design and Construction Phase Service and published it in the Arizona Daily Sun on 8 November and 18 November 2025 and posted the RSOQ to the City of Flagstaff’s solicitation website PlanetBids on 1 November 2025. On 4 December 2025, the City received seven Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from applying contracting firms. A five-member Selection Committee of City staff, an external engineer, and an external contractor reviewed and evaluated the statements and conducted interviews with the three companies. The scoring from the statement of qualifications brought the ree highest scoring firms forward to the interview/discussion process. Scoring from the SOQ evaluations was not included in the interview scoring. The scores from interview/discussion process were the determination for the choice of award request. Based upon the numerical scoring of the interviews, the Selection Committee identified the most qualified firm to perform the CMAR design and construction phase services for the Project and recommended commencing negotiations for a scope and fee proposal to be provided by Banicki Construction. The evaluation results are as followed:
1st J. Banicki Construction
2nd Hunter Contracting
3rd Eagle Mountain Construction
As per the RSOQ, Banicki Construction will be expected to enter into separate Design and Construction Phase Services Agreements, holding the Construction Phase Services Agreement until their GMP for the Project is successfully negotiated and approved by Council.
Banicki Construction’s SOQ and interview demonstrated a clear recognition of the knowledge and experience of coordinating with the City’s Engineering Professional to develop a design and perform the construction of a complex sequence of improvements within a complex floodplain and unadulterated forest, as well as understanding the schedule requirements for completing the improvements including coordination with developers who will be constructing JWP on either side of the City’s section of the roadway.
1st J. Banicki Construction
2nd Hunter Contracting
3rd Eagle Mountain Construction
As per the RSOQ, Banicki Construction will be expected to enter into separate Design and Construction Phase Services Agreements, holding the Construction Phase Services Agreement until their GMP for the Project is successfully negotiated and approved by Council.
Banicki Construction’s SOQ and interview demonstrated a clear recognition of the knowledge and experience of coordinating with the City’s Engineering Professional to develop a design and perform the construction of a complex sequence of improvements within a complex floodplain and unadulterated forest, as well as understanding the schedule requirements for completing the improvements including coordination with developers who will be constructing JWP on either side of the City’s section of the roadway.
Connection to PBB Priorities and Objectives:
Sustainable and Innovation Infrastructure
- Provide, manage, and maintain effective infrastructure for multimodal and active transportation
- Deliver outstanding services to residents through a healthy, well-maintained infrastructure system
Connection to Regional Plan:
Region Plan Goal – Environmentally Sensitive Lands Goals and Policies
Goal E&C.7. Give special consideration to environmentally sensitive lands in the development design and review process
Goal E&C.7. Give special consideration to environmentally sensitive lands in the development design and review process
Connection to Carbon Neutrality Plan:
DD-2
IR-2
Ensure equity, accessibility, and inclusion across all City of Flagstaff Parks and Recreation facilities, helping all members of the Flagstaff community to meet their health and wellness needs
| Create inclusive networks for walking and biking that are continuous, attractive, safe, comprehensive, and convenient for people of all ages |
IR-2
Ensure equity, accessibility, and inclusion across all City of Flagstaff Parks and Recreation facilities, helping all members of the Flagstaff community to meet their health and wellness needs
Connection to 10-Year Housing Plan:
The JWP Extension Project will open the southeastern portion of Flagstaff to many new housing opportunities.
Connection to Division Specific Plan:
None