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Politics & Government

Plans for Ball Field Project Move Forward

Golden Valley City Council awards contract, approves lease amendment

Plans for more ball fields in the city moved forward after the Golden Valley City Council awarded a construction contract at its meeting Monday, April 5.

More than a year ago, the city was the recipient of a $400,000 grant through the Hennepin County Youth Sports Program to build additional ball fields at the Honeywell Area Ball Field site located at 7101 Sandburg Road. A $67,500 commitment by the Golden Valley Little League is anticipated to help fund the project as well.

The contract approved by the City Council was awarded MN Dirt Works, Inc. for $381,089.75 to build two additional ball fields plus irrigation of the existing field at the Honeywell site. The bid by MN Dirt Works, Inc. was the lowest of 11 bids received by the city and came in under the projected budget. The estimated cost for the project is $492,500. Although the lowest bid came in under budget, city staff recommended in its memo to the Council to “leave some additional funding for unanticipated construction conditions.”

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Since the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission requires any new development within the watershed that disturbs over half an acre must adhere to water quality polices, the city says it will include a water quality feature on the project. To pay for it, the city will be kicking in a $25,000 funding commitment from the city’s storm water utility fund.

The awarded contract passed by a four to one vote with Councilmember Bob Shaffer voting against the measure, stating he did not approve of the city funding in the project.  

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Due to the expansion of the fields, a new amended lease agreement was also approved between the city and Golden Valley Little League to address future funding, maintenance, and use of the site by the organization.

An anticipated construction start date for the ball fields was not announced.  

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