Renderings show what the new nature space behind the Atherton Library might look like when completed. Courtesy town of Atherton.
Renderings show what the new nature space behind the Atherton Library might look like when completed. Courtesy town of Atherton.
Renderings show what the new nature space behind the Atherton Library might look like when completed. Courtesy town of Atherton.
The Atherton City Council has approved a $617,000 construction contract to build a new children’s garden next to the Atherton Library, advancing the project after earlier bids came in higher than expected.
Selway Construction of San Jose submitted the lowest responsive bid and was awarded the work, which is expected to begin early next year.
The San Mateo County Library Joint Powers Authority, which runs several libraries in San Mateo County, including the one in Atherton, hired Miller Company Landscape Architects to design the garden, which will include log benches, a low treehouse, a willow hut, stump-walk features, new paving and ramps, railings, fencing and other outdoor furnishings.
In September, the council rejected all bids for the project after they exceeded the town’s expectations. The lowest bid at the time was $447,840 from Modernscapes Innovations, but the company disclosed it had made a $100,000 error in its submission and withdrew. The next lowest bid was $730,000.
Project engineers initially estimated the work would cost $438,039, but revised the estimate to $603,243 after the bids were rejected.
Even though Modernscapes’ intended bid of $547,840 would have been the lowest, state law prohibited the company from rebidding the project, according to Atherton Public Works Director Robert Ovadia.
The project is funded by the joint powers authority’s Atherton fund.
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