Fort Wayne OKs $17.2 million in contracts for first phase of downtown riverfront project

Work covered under the 14 construction contracts includes the materials and labor necessary to develop improvements planned for the north and south banks of the St. Marys River between the Wells Street and Harrison Street bridges. In addition to the construction contracts, the council also approved a contract with Countryside Play Structures for the planned riverfront playground and a construction management contract with The Hagerman Group.

Each contract was approved with an 8-0 vote. Councilman Michael Barranda, R-at large, was absent. 

All of the contracts were competitively bid, and most received two or three bidders, said Steve McDaniel, deputy director of asset management for the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department. However, four contracts received only one bidder.