Posting Language
Title
Authorize a contract for construction services for the Little Walnut Creek - Asian American Resource Center/Rutherford Stormwater Improvement project for Austin Transportation and Public Works and Austin Watershed Protection with Austin Filter Systems, Inc., in the amount of $5,688,529, plus a $568,853 contingency, for a total contract amount not to exceed $6,257,382. Funding: $563,164 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Transportation and Public Works and $5,694,218 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Watershed Protection.
Body
Lead Department
Austin Financial Services.
Managing Department
Austin Capital Delivery Services.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $563,164 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Transportation and Public Works.
Funding in the amount of $5,694,218 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Watershed Protection.
Procurement Language:
Austin Financial Services issued an Invitation for Bids solicitation IFB 6100 CLMC1133 for these services. The solicitation was issued on December 8th, 2025, and closed on January 22nd, 2026. Of the four bids received, the bid submitted by the recommended contractor was the lowest responsive bid. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=142874.
MBE / WBE:
This contract will be awarded in compliance with City Code Chapter 2-9A (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program) by meeting the goals with 6.74% MBE and 2.64% WBE participation.
For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement at FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500. Respondents to the solicitation and their Agents should direct all questions to the Authorized Contact Person identified in the solicitation.
Additional Backup Information:
Little Walnut Creek is affected by high nutrient levels, poor stream habitat, and stream stability issues. The project will improve the water quality flow for Little Walnut Creek as well as provide:
• Improved regional water quality wetland with a boardwalk
• An urban trail and other trail improvements
• Two pedestrian bridges over the Rutherford Tributary-- one connecting the Asian American Resource Center (AARC) to Rutherford Campus and one for the Urban Trail
• A diversion channel and rain gardens
• Expansion of the existing Rutherford Tributary to improve flood conveyance
• Conversion of the Rutherford Tributary from concrete to a more natural stream
• Improved landscaping and a nature play area
In addition to improving water quality, the project will enhance the AARC and Rutherford Campus by adding water features with a boardwalk, pedestrian bridges, trail connectivity, improved lighting, reduced flood risk, nature play, tree plantings, improved landscaping, and increased wildlife habitat.
This project was developed in 2018 in response to monitoring data showing a water quality problem score of “high” for Little Walnut Creek. A preliminary engineering report was completed in 2021 showing excellent cost effectiveness for this water quality control and a public meeting was held to obtain feedback for the proposed solution. Great care has been taken to coordinate efforts and minimize impacts to Austin Watershed Protection, Austin Parks and Recreation, Austin Facilities Management, Austin Transportation Public Works, and Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment. In the summer of 2025, a second public meeting was held at 90% design phase, and the project was presented at the Asian American Quality of Life Committee. Following Council Action, construction is anticipated in summer of 2026.
Implementation of this regional water quality control provides cost-effective pollution removal for Little Walnut Creek, satisfies regulatory water quality requirements for future expansion, and implements portions of the AARC 2019 Vision Plan (water feature, trails, pedestrian bridge, landscaping, nature play, boardwalk). Additionally, the Rutherford Tributary will be widened and enhanced, which reduces flood risk for the Rutherford Campus, accommodates future redevelopment there, and improves riparian habitat. Maintainability was a key consideration to keep these assets functioning long-term.
Due to the potential for unknown subsurface conditions, a 10% contingency in funding has been included to allow for the expeditious processing of any change orders to cover any unforeseen construction costs associated with the project. By authorizing the additional contingency funding, Council is authorizing any change orders within the contingency amount.
Construction will temporarily impact the existing stormwater pond at the AARC and the adjacent channel, but no road closures are expected. The channel improvements will impact existing parking at the Rutherford Campus by removing or restricting access to stalls on the northern portion of the property boundary. Parking impacts have been coordinated with Building Services.
If the contract is not approved, the existing regional water quality controls will not meet regulatory water quality requirements. Additionally, the construction of the pedestrian bridge between the AARC and Rutherford Campus will be delayed, and the Rutherford Tributary will continue to pose an increased flood risk for the Rutherford Campus.
The contract allows 365 calendar days for completion of this project.
This project is located within zip code 78754 (District 1).