Chelan expands booster pump project to add capacity for future growth

CHELAN — The Chelan City Council has awarded a $1.03 million construction contract for improvements to the Washington Booster Pump Station, a project city officials intentionally expanded beyond the minimum requirements of a development agreement to provide additional water capacity for future growth.

Council members unanimously approved the contract with East Wenatchee-based Hurst Construction, LLC during their Sept. 8 meeting. The company submitted the lowest of three responsive bids at $1,031,913.60, including sales tax.

The bid came approximately 6.5% above RH2 Engineering's estimated construction cost of $968,211.20. The other bids were $1,080,683.20 from Strider Construction Co., Inc. and $1,152,578.24 from SCI Industrial Services, LLC.

Public Works Director Jake Youngren told council members the relatively close bids gave the city confidence in the pricing.

“A little above what we expected based on the engineer's estimate, but we received three really tight bids,” Youngren said. “So, I think kind of the market gave us fairly competitive pricing.”

ABC Holdings is expected to contribute approximately $375,000 toward the project under its development agreement with the city, while Chelan County has provided a $300,000 economic development grant. The city will pay the remaining cost.

Youngren said the project could have been designed around the minimum improvements required through the ABC Holdings agreement, but the city instead expanded its scope to better accommodate future water-system needs, particularly in East Chelan.

“So, all said, the project scope intentionally grew, and so did the cost,” Youngren said.

The city currently has approximately $750,000 budgeted for the project. Youngren said he expects a future budget amendment of roughly $300,000, although a final amount has not yet been determined. He said adequate money is available in the city's water capital fund.

The project dates back to August 2024, when council approved an RH2 Engineering task authorization to design the booster station. Chelan County funding was approved in January, and council authorized additional design work in May as the project's scope developed.

One council member asked whether the project would improve water pressure in the neighborhood.

“It improves capacity, it does not improve pressure,” Youngren said, adding that separate projects currently underway are expected to improve pressure in portions of the water zone.

The bidding process also included an unusual wrinkle. Two bids were publicly opened Aug. 25, while a third remained sealed because of questions surrounding its delivery. City staff consulted with legal counsel before determining the bid was valid and opening it publicly. RH2 subsequently reviewed all three proposals and determined the additional bid did not change the low bidder.

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