Cost of Wilderness Park Construction 30 Percent Over Engineer's Projections

The actual cost to build the northern parking lot planned for the Claremont Wilderness Park could be 30 percent higher than originally projected, according to a city manager's report.

Panorama General Engineering, Inc., has bid $313,313 as the cost to build the park. In addition to approving that bid, City Manager Tony Ramos' office has reccomended that the council approve an additional $31,331 as a contingency, bringing the total owed to the contractor to $344,644.

Panorama General's initial bid was more than $90,000 higher than the original engineer's estimated cost for the parking lot. However, the contractor's bid was also the lowest of 11 submitted to the city - other contractors' proposals went as high as $543,000.  

The new cost of the parking lot is covered by its original funding plan: $350,000 has been approved for the construction, with $200,000 being appropriated from the city's general fund and an additional $150,000 secured in a grant from Supervisor Michael Antonovich from the County of Los Angeles.

However, Ramos' office has also recommended that the city approve an additional $75,000 for other projects associated with the park: $35,000 for the extension of a water mane and plant installation, and $40,000 for parking meters at the parking lot.

Ramos' office projects that the entire cost of the parking lot can be repaid in two years from the funds generated from parking meters.

While the city council will vote on the $35,000 addition tonight, it will wait to vote on the $40,000 for the parking meters until its July 24 meeting after the city manager's office completes an additional report.

Take a look at the full report from the city manager's office. If you want to talk to the city council about the cost of the parking lot, be sure to attend its meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers on Second Street in the Village.