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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Reject Bids Received for Central Park Block Improvements Project, Dispense with Competitive Bidding, and Negotiate with the Bidders 1) Resolution rejecting all bids, dispensing with competitive bidding, and authorizing the Director of Public Works or his designee to directly negotiate with one or more bidders.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for October 28, 2025 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On June 25, 2025, four bids were received for the Central Park Block Project. After a thorough review, staff determined that all the bids were non-responsive because none of the bidders met the mandatory minimum qualifications for contractors’ references, and certain required bidding forms were incomplete. To keep the project on budget and on schedule, and to reduce administrative and implementation costs, staff determined it would be more efficient to reject all bids and negotiate directly with the bidders rather than rebidding the project.
Staff seeks City Council approval to reject all bids, dispense with competitive bidding and authorize the Director of Public Works or his designee to negotiate with one or more bidders for the project. Upon successful negotiation, the final contract for this project will return to the City Council for review and approval.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve a resolution rejecting all bids, dispensing with competitive bidding, and authorizing the negotiation of a construction contract for the Central Park Block Project
ANALYSIS
The Central Park Block is bounded by Harvard Street to the north, Colorado Street to the south, Louise Street to the east and public parking (Lot 10) and alley to the west (See Exhibit 1: Project Location Map).
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In July 2018, the City Council approved the entitlements for the Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California (Museum). Revised entitlements were subsequently approved in January 2021 and building permits for the Museum’s garage issued in July 2022; completion of the Museum building is expected in the winter of 2026. The Museum’s development in Central Park provided an opportunity to better integrate the park’s civic and cultural facilities as well as create new public spaces and recreational opportunities.
In April 2018 the City Council selected the “Grand Steps” concept for development into schematic design documents, and in June 2019 approved the schematic design package and directed release of an RFP for design services for construction documents, bidding, and construction administration. In March 2022 the City Council approved a reduction in scope by eliminating improvements on the Adult Recreation Center’s (ARC) periphery, including a courtyard and café pavilion on the ARC’s southwest corner and an entry courtyard on the northeast corner.
The Grand Steps design emphasizes an entry to Central Park from the Central Park paseo, with steps leading from the paseo and Parking Lot 10 to the great lawn. A second lawn between the library and ARC is included, which increases the functionality of the great lawn. Greater activation of the park and programming for all ages is accommodated by areas dedicated to the children’s play east of the Central Library, a multi-generational game plaza, and a forest park. Through the conversion of on-site parking lots into park space, the project increases the amount of open space from 48,130 SF to 118,047 SF.
Project Scope of Work:
Grand Steps Entry Plaza: a formal entry from the Central Park paseo providing a transition between Parking Lot 10 and the park through a series of long steps and an accessible sloping walkway;
Great Lawn: flexible green open space in the Great Lawn anchors the largest open area of the park;
Lawn Amphitheater and Event Stage: a smaller setting for special events is provided by the Lawn Amphitheater. A low stage with canopy provides a platform for special functions;
Library Steps: a patio is provided at the library’s south entry, with steps that give access to the building and a place to sit and look out over the park; Tree Grove and Activity Plaza: the tree grove provides a backdrop to the event stage and shades an outdoor lounge area for ARC visitors and the community at- large. Beyond the trees, catenary lighting provides a festive atmosphere for the programmable activity plaza;
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Children’s Playground and Splash Pad: year-round imaginative play is encouraged with signature play equipment and a splash pad. A new restroom building is located nearby for convenience;
Forest Walk: existing trees between the library and Louise Street are preserved to contribute to a forest-like setting within the park. Boardwalk paths beneath the canopy help reduce impacts to the trees and contribute to the sense of place; Library Lawn: small lawn adjacent to the playground and forest walk for a children’s free play area;
ARC Entry Plaza: a newly reconfigured drop-off and accessible parking area provides convenient access to the ARC’s front door. Specialty paving indicates arrival and signals the presence of pedestrians and park activity in the vicinity; and South Entry Plaza at Colorado: a sloping path from Colorado Street between the Museum and ARC. Sculptural walls retain planting areas and frame a small pocket plaza. The existing large oak tree will be a stately gateway to the park.
On May 6, 2025, the City Council adopted the project plans and specifications and authorized the City Clerk to advertise for bids. The project was advertised in the Glendale Independent, the city’s website, as well as various online platforms. On June 25, 2025, the city received four bids as follows:
1. ARC Construction, Inc. $14,020,131.45
2. Dorado Design & Construction, Inc. $14,998,670.00
3. Environmental Construction, Inc. $15,409,891.00
4. The Nazerian Group $16,888,123.00 Upon review of the bid documents, staff found all bidders to be non-responsive in accordance with the bidding requirements as follows:
a. Mandatory Qualifications for Bidder and Designated Subcontractors – Bidder did not show they satisfactorily completed at least four (4) prevailing wage public contracts in California; comparable in scope and scale to this project, within three (3) years prior to the Bid Deadline and at least one (1) project that included a federal funding source and associated federal funding requirements. b. Certain required bidding forms were either incomplete, improperly executed, or missing required information as specified in the bid documents.
To maintain the City’s objective of securing qualified and experienced contractors while providing flexibility to negotiate with one or more firms, staff will evaluate potential modifications to the number or type of comparable projects required and may consider equivalent experience that sufficiently demonstrates a contractor’s capability to perform the work successfully.
Construction of this project is anticipated to begin in March 2026 and is scheduled for 9b4
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completion by March 2027.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
Given the project’s location within the Central Park Block, which includes the Central Library, ARC, and the Museum currently under construction, outreach efforts will be closely coordinated with the Library, Arts & Culture and Community Services & Parks Departments, as well as the Museum, to ensure construction is well coordinated and impacts to the facility users are minimized.
Public outreach will also be conducted through multiple platforms, including a dedicated project website. The website will introduce the public to the project and the project team, explain the scope of work and project locations, highlight the project phase, and provide staff contact information for questions, discussions, and input.
In addition, the outreach plan will include consideration of ceremonial events such as a groundbreaking and ribbon cutting to celebrate major milestones, as well as tabling and information-sharing at community gatherings and festivals, including the Armenian American Museum Festival and other civic events, to further engage the public and raise awareness of the project.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Central Park Block Project cost will be determined when staff returns to recommend award of a contract to a contractor after successful negotiations.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The project was previously determined to be exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15332, Class 32 “In-fill Development Projects”. The plans and specifications to implement the project were previously evaluated and as a result, their adoption will not have a significant effect on the environment.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1: Do not approve the attached resolutions to reject all bids or to authorize the Director of Public Works or his designee to negotiate with one or more bidders. Doing so will not improve Central Park Block with new amenities, green space, playground and many other facilities for public use.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
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Submitted by:
Daniel Hernandez, Director of Public Works
Onnig Bulanikian, Director of Community Services and Parks Prepared by:
Sarkis Oganesyan, Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer Armen Avazian, P.E., Principal Civil Engineer
Marc David, Senior Project Manager
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1: Project Location Map