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AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
6.L.
City Council Regular Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 07/14/2025
Agenda Item:
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Short, Elliott, Hendrickson (SEH) to provide construction services for the reinstallation of the Kern Bridge.
Recommendation/Action(s):
Adoption of the attached resolution.
Summary:
The Kern Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and holds the distinction of being one of the oldest bridges in Minnesota. Made of wrought iron, it is the only bow-string arch bridge in Minnesota and is the longest of its type in the nation. The bridge originally crossed the Le Sueur River south of Mankato. Blue Earth County and MnDOT carefully dismantled the historic structure and solicited applications from interested parties to relocate and reuse the bridge.
The City of Mankato was notified in January 2020 that it was selected to be the new owner of the Kern Bridge and to receive federal funding to relocate and rehabilitate it. In April 2021, Short, Elliott, Hendrickson (SEH) was selected to provide preliminary design services ($254,000). In October 2023, SEH was selected to provide final design and plan preparation services for the project ($764,423).
On July 8, 2024, the City Council received a feasibility report for the project, ordered the improvement and authorized the advertisement of bids. Final plans have been completed and needed permits and agency approvals are nearly secured. It is anticipated that the project will be ready to be bid in late summer with construction to commence in October of this year.
Considering the amount of work already completed, it is recommended that the City continue its relationship with SEH to provide construction services for the project. A proposal from SEH, in the amount $696,641, for this work is attached.
Based on work completed to date, the total project cost is anticipated to be $9.4 million. Federal and State funds of almost $6 million dollars have been secured. The remaining cost is anticipated to be funded with a combination of local Sales Tax and Municipal State Aid. A full funding proposal will be presented once the project is bid and construction costs are better defined.
Staff recommends authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Short, Elliott, Hendrickson (SEH) for construction services for the Kern Bridge project in the amount of $696,641.
The City of Mankato was notified in January 2020 that it was selected to be the new owner of the Kern Bridge and to receive federal funding to relocate and rehabilitate it. In April 2021, Short, Elliott, Hendrickson (SEH) was selected to provide preliminary design services ($254,000). In October 2023, SEH was selected to provide final design and plan preparation services for the project ($764,423).
On July 8, 2024, the City Council received a feasibility report for the project, ordered the improvement and authorized the advertisement of bids. Final plans have been completed and needed permits and agency approvals are nearly secured. It is anticipated that the project will be ready to be bid in late summer with construction to commence in October of this year.
Considering the amount of work already completed, it is recommended that the City continue its relationship with SEH to provide construction services for the project. A proposal from SEH, in the amount $696,641, for this work is attached.
Based on work completed to date, the total project cost is anticipated to be $9.4 million. Federal and State funds of almost $6 million dollars have been secured. The remaining cost is anticipated to be funded with a combination of local Sales Tax and Municipal State Aid. A full funding proposal will be presented once the project is bid and construction costs are better defined.
Staff recommends authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Short, Elliott, Hendrickson (SEH) for construction services for the Kern Bridge project in the amount of $696,641.