Waite Park Council to Vote on $17.5M Bid to Advance City Hall, Public Safety Expansion

(KNSI) – Waite Park City Council will vote Monday on a $17.5 million construction bid that would complete the major portion of their public safety and city hall expansion project.

The bid includes the cost of electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems, interior finishes, masonry, elevators, and structural steel. According to the construction manager, 20 of the 34 contractors being considered for the work are based in Waite Park or the metro area.

This vote follows the council’s approval in May of a $4.6 million budget for initial work, such as partial demolition, land acquisition, and precast panels. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in June.

Combined, the two bids total $22.2 million, about 7% below the design and development budget. The $25 million project is funded by a voter-approved half-cent sales tax that can generate up to $20 million, with capital bonds covering the remainder.

In April 2022, voters approved the dedicated sales tax for the project. The construction timeline remains on track for completion in late 2026, with only landscaping left to approve.

The council will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Monday at the St. Cloud Area School District’s Administrative Office. The council is meeting there while construction is underway at city hall.

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