December 2, 2025
Public Works
DATE: December 2, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, PE, Public Works Director
Robert Armijo, PE, Deputy Public Works Director / City
Engineer
Jene Levine Snipes, Development Project Manager
Subject:
Contract with WR Forde for the Richmond Art and Light
Project
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $374,000 expenditure is funded by a Caltrans grant awarded in 2022 and is included in the
approved fiscal year 2025-2026 Engineering Grants –
Richmond Art and Light Project budget (Account String
15436431 – 400708 - 23031).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
October 18, 2022 - Accept and Appropriate Grant Funds
via Resolution 153-22
June 18, 2024- Approval to Award Richmond Art and
Lighting Project Bids and Authorize Change Orders
During the City Council Recess via Resolution 62-24
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Staff is seeking City Council approval of a $374,000
construction contract with WR Forde for the Richmond
Art and Light Project. Funded by a Caltrans grant
awarded in 2022 and included in the approved Fiscal
Year 2025–2026 Engineering Grants budget, the project
has been identified as a critical safety and pedestrian- experience improvement.
AGENDA
REPORT
December 2, 2025
RECOMMENDED ACTION: ADOPT a resolution to APPROVE a construction contract with WR Forde for the Richmond Art and Light Project in the amount of $374,000, with a term from October 1,
2025, to July 1, 2026, and AUTHORIZE the Public Works
Director to approve change orders up to $37,400 or 10
percent contingency – Public Works (Jene Levine Snipes
510-307-8132/Robert Armijo 510-620-5477).
DISCUSSION:
Richmond Art and Lighting Project is a beautification and safety initiative to enhance local street undercrossing and one overcrossing in the City of Richmond. The locations are the Macdonald Avenue, Barrett Avenue, and San Pablo Avenue undercrossing on Interstate 80, and the Harbor Way overcrossing on Interstate 580. The project involves installation of pedestrian scale lighting to brighten the pedestrian experience and artwork to help enliven the spaces for the community.
Interstate 80 is an eight-lane freeway that transects the City. Due to the freeway’s width, sidewalks under the structure are often dark, even in daytime. The pedestrian experience will be transformed through art and lighting. The artwork will significantly brighten the underpass locations both physically and emotionally by adding color to a drab space. It will also help reduce graffiti by enlivening these spaces and providing less blank canvas for taggers.
On July 15, 2024, staff solicited bids for the Richmond Art and Light Project construction contract. The bid deadline was August 20, 2024. The project was formally advertised on PlanetBids; however, no bids were received. Per Richmond Municipal Code Section
2.52.310.(d)7 Competitive Sealed Bids – No Bids Received, procurement may proceed without repeating or complying further with competitive bidding requirements.
On June 24, 2025, WR Forde submitted a proposal in the amount of $374,000, which is within the approved project budget. The project is supported by grant funds that must be fully expended by March 2026.
Based on City staff evaluation, WR Forde meets all requirements and has submitted the necessary contract documents. City staff recommend awarding the contract to WR Forde as the lowest responsive and responsible contractor.
City staff requests that the City Council adopt the resolution approving a construction contract with WR Forde in the amount of $374,000 for the Richmond Art and Light Project. City staff further rec authorizing the Public Works Director to approve change orders up to $37,400 (10 percent contingency).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – Construction Contract