By Moses Leos III.
After a six-year wait, Buda finally took a step toward repairing streets in the Bonita Vista Subdivision.
But total completion is still at least two years away.
City Engineer Stanley Fees presented a timeline for the project at a recent city council meeting. The endeavor is expected to cost $2.9 million.
Sidonna Faust, Buda’s finance director, said the project is already tabbed in the FY 13-14 budget. Buda will have to incur debt, and will pay for the expense via a certificate of obligation (CO) that comes from the city’s General Fund.
The saga began in 2007, when Buda spent more than $700,000 to repair the roads in the subdivision. Affected roads included Casa Loma, El Secreto, Las Cruces and Bonita Vista.
However, residents noticed large cracks developing in as little as six months after completion. They clamored for the city to fix the issue.
Buda asked contractor Austin Bridge and Road (ABR) to repair the roads. ABR refused, forcing both entities into litigation in 2009.
In March 2013, ABR won the case. A Hays County jury determined Buda was mostly at fault for the issues, with partial blame given to its design firm, did not account for the unstable land quality.
The city now looks to rectify the issue. But the process will likely be laborious and meticulous.
It begins with a series of public information meetings with neighborhood residents. They will learn what the city plans to do and the processes it will take. From there, Buda will seek Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) for engineering services.
Buda staff will pick a design firm, which will provide a topographic survey of the land. They aim to ensure the design can stand up to the unstable “black dirt” that lies under Bonita Vista.
Reconstruction plans for Bonita Vista are invasive, going into the right of way, replacing sidewalks and driveways, along with repairing curbs and gutters. They also plan to go at least two feet deep on the street itself, removing existing pavement and reconstructing it.
The goal is to ensure the road can stand the test of time.
“We have a tree root liner … a special base, and everything that is recommended and more,” Mayor Todd Ruge said. “This road is going to be expected to last a lifetime.”
Bids will then be requested from contractors; the selected firm will be under the city’s microscope.
A construction manager (CM) will be tasked with continually notifying residents of current construction status. They will also hold bi-weekly meetings with city staff on progress.
The CM will coordinate testing for materials used in the project. They must approve all materials, and notify the contractor if any fail.
An independent inspector will also observe the contractor’s work.
Once finished, city staffers will inspect the project with the contractor. A problem list will be established, with the contractor making sure everything is complete.
The agreement with the selected contactor will include a three-year “maintenance bond,” keeping the city free from liability for post-construction issues.
Ruge said he knows the process is meticulous. He also acknowledged the two-year completion window, which may not garner favor from Bonita Vista residents.
Council will also have to address several issues, such as parking and travel concerns for residents during construction – issues that also plagued the initial project.
Ruge feels the Bonita Vista reconstruction should be, “micromanaged like none ever done [in Buda].”
Putting forth a well-constructed road is key. So also is learning from previous mistakes.
“It’s high time we get it done,” Ruge said. “You can’t reverse something done in the past, but we can make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Projected Bonita Vista Reconstruction Schedule
Dec. 9, 2013
Hold public information meeting with residents of Bonita Vista, and provide survey
Dec. 13, 2013
Receive survey results
Dec. 18, 2013
Prepare request for qualifications (RFQ) for engineering services.
Jan. 21, 2014
Review RFQ submissions and present to city council for firm selection
Feb. 4, 2014
Negotiate and complete contract with engineering firm
May 30, 2014
Project design
City will then advertise and review bids
July 15, 2014
City council awards bid
July 29, 2014
Issue debt for project, execute bid contract, and obtain performance/payment bonds.
Notice to proceed issued
Feb. 27, 2015
Construction ends
