SAFFORD — With little discussion, the Safford City Council voted 6-1 to award the bid to construct Mayor Jason Kouts Park to Danson Construction of Phoenix.
Council Member Dusti Brantner cast the dissenting vote.
The contract is for $8.93 million, which is $1.1 million over the original engineer’s estimate. The Danson base bid was for $8.1 million, and city staff recommended approval of a number of bid alternates.
Now included in the project are construction of a pathway on 8th Avenue, installation of post and cable fencing, sidewalk improvements on 8th Avenue and exposed aggregate finish.
The council also approved Danson supplying the design and materials for restrooms and the amphitheater, rather than the city purchasing those items pre-fabricated from a third-party vendor.
“They proposed that $640,000 change, which would save us over $100,000,” said Public Works Director Lance Henrie.
The only discussion came from Mayor Richard Ortega, who asked about the park entrance and whether there would be tennis courts.
The park at 8th Avenue and Discovery Park Boulevard will include:
- Splash pad
- Pickleball courts
- Amphitheater
- Playgrounds
- Ramadas
- Two restroom buildings
- Walking pathways
- Pedestrian bridge
- Open lawn spaces
- Roadway and parking lot paving, including a food truck court
Construction is to begin this summer, with completion by fall 2027.
