Park fence replacement bids under city’s proposed budget

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(Feb. 3, 2023) The long-anticipated replacement of fencing at Northside Park kicked off this week with an array of bids that came in under the city’s estimated budget.

At a work session Tuesday, City Manager Terry McGean and Councilman Will Savage — acting as council secretary in place of Councilman Tony DeLuca who served as president — opened five bids from companies vying to complete the first phase of a multi-faceted fence replacement project.

While one proposal was rejected because it did not include a bond bill or use a required bid form, the other four came in at less than the projected cost.

Recreation and Parks Director Susan Petito said during a presentation on the city’s capital improvement plan that the fences at the park have not been replaced for 35 years and are “in need of attention.” She also said this is only phase one of what will likely be a bigger project.

“We anticipate we will need two more phases of funding to be able to address all other areas of the park that will ultimately need replacement,” Petito said.

The lowest bid was from Jacob’s Yard Works out of Willard for $88,650.

The other proposals came from Virginia-based Hercules Fence for $99,800, Pintail Property Services out of Fruitland for $111,400, and Virginia, Maryland and D.C.-based Long Fence for $146,790. The rejected bid was from Seagull Fence, which serves Maryland and Delaware.

Council members voted to accept the four legitimate bids and remand them to staff for review and recommendation for approval.