December 16, 2025
Public Works
DATE: December 16, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, PE, Director of Public Works
Robert Armijo, PE, Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Wendy Wellbrock, PE, Senior Civil Engineer
Subject:
Contract with Alten Construction, LLC for Revitalizing the Historic Richmond Main Library Project
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Total funding committed for the Revitalization of the
Historic Richmond Main Library Project is $34,400,000,
which includes $9,712,979 in California State Library
Building Forward Grant funding, $2,000,000 in American
Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and $22,700,000 in local
funds. The proposed not to exceed construction contract cost of $24,263,643 is fully funded through a combination of California State Library Building Forward Grant, the City’s General Capital Fund, and Library Impact Fees
(Account Strings: 10545055-400708-AR231, 21741055-
400708-AR231 and 20136031-400708-AR231).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
October 4, 2022
May 23, 2023
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
City staff members are requesting City Council approval to award a construction contract for the Revitalization of the Historic Richmond Main Library Project to Alten
Construction, LLC. The recommended payment limit is
$24,263,643.00, which includes the Base Bid of
$22,037,158.00, Additive Bid Alternate Item 1A in the
amount of $20,700.00, and a 10 percent contingency of
$2,205,785.00.
AGENDA
REPORT
December 16, 2025
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to APPROVE a construction contract
with Alten Construction, LLC for the Revitalization of the Historic Richmond Main Library Project in an amount not to exceed $24,263,643.00 (Base Bid of $22,037,158.00
and Additive Bid Alternate 1A of $20,700.00; plus a City- controlled contingency of $2,205,785.00, equal to ten
percent of the contract amount); AUTHORIZE the City
Manager or their designee to execute the agreement;
and AUTHORIZE the Director of Public Works to approve
change orders, if necessary, up to the contingency
amount - Public Works Department (Wendy Wellbrock
510-307-8108/Robert Armijo 510-620-5477).
DISCUSSION
Project Background and Scope
Located at 325 Civic Center Plaza, the Richmond Main Library is the Main Branch of the Richmond municipal public library, and one of three physical branch locations serving the City of Richmond. It is at the center of the community and conveniently accessible by various modes of transportation including walking, biking, and bus.
Constructed in 1949, the Richmond Main Library is a significant piece of postwar Modernist architecture, designed by San Francisco architects Timothy L. and Milton T.
Pflueger as part of the Civic Center Plaza complex. It is a two-story structure with an approximate floor area of 31,500 square feet that is notable for being the first glass- fronted public library in the United States.
The Revitalization of the Historic Richmond Main Library Project (Project) aims to modernize and preserve the historic, aging facility through a major renovation. The scope includes full replacement of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; meeting essential fire-life-safety, seismic, and accessibility standards; complete interior renovation; and hazardous materials abatement. Key project components also involve roof replacement, installation of a new solar PV system, conversion to an all-electric system, exterior glazing replacement, elevator replacement, and various site and landscaping improvements. Sustainability goals target a minimum LEED Silver certification.
Project Funding and Design
The City secured $34,400,000 in funding for this Project, which includes $9,712,979 in California State Library Building Forward Grant funding, $2,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and $22,700,000 in local funds.
In October 2023, the City executed a contract with Noll and Tam Architects for architectural design services for the Project. After extensive community engagement and iterative design process, the construction documents were finalized and permitted in summer 2025.
December 16, 2025
Bidding Process and Evaluation
On August 14, 2025, the City advertised the Project for bids, and bids were opened on October 9, 2025, with the following results (Attachment 1):
Contractor Base Bid
CWS Construction Group, Inc $20,275,000.00
Lathrop Construction Associates, Inc. $21,677,930.00
Alten Construction, LLC $22,037,158.00
Zovich and Sons, Inc. $23,450,000.00
E.F. Brett and Company, Inc. $23,455,000.00
Roebbelen Contracting, Inc. $24,415,156.00
Rodan Builders, Inc. $25,396,558.00
Wickman Development and Construction $26,648,000.00
City staff reviewed the bid for the apparent low bidder, CWS Construction Group, Inc., and determined the bid did not meet the mandatory minimum qualification requirements outlined in the Project Manual’s Statement of Qualifications and was therefore deemed non-responsive. Pursuant to the Project Manual, staff members proceeded to evaluate the next apparent lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
As part of the bid evaluation, City staff members also analyzed the application of rating incentives as outlined in the Richmond Business Opportunity Ordinance (RMC 2.50).
The analysis concluded that the bid for Alten Construction, LLC, a Richmond business, is eligible for a 5 percent (%) rating incentive under RMC 2.50.070(a). The application of the 5 percent rating incentive reduced the evaluated bid by $1,101,857.90, bringing Alten Construction, LLC’s effective evaluated amount to $20,935,300.10. This makes Alten Construction, LLC the apparent low bidder after the local preference ordinance is applied.
RECOMMENDATION
City staff members reviewed the bid for Alten Construction, LLC, and determined the bid is responsive and responsible. Accordingly, City staff members recommend that the City Council adopt the resolution and approve the construction contract for the Revitalization of the Historic Richmond Main Library Project to Alten Construction, LLC (Attachment 2 and 3). The total recommended contract payment limit is $24,263,643.00, calculated as follows:
Component Amount
Base Bid $22,037,158.00
Add Bid Alternate 1A $20,700.00
Subtotal (Contract Amount) $22,057,858.00
10% Contingency $2,205,785.00
December 16, 2025
Total Recommended Amount $24,263,643.00
City staff members further recommend authorizing the Public Works Director to approve change orders, if necessary, for up to the 10 percent contingency amount of $2,205,785.00.
ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTATION
The proposed Project was determined to be categorically exempt per California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15331, Historic Resource Restoration. The proposed Project will rehabilitate the Main Library building at 325 Civic Center Plaza, a contributing element to the Richmond Register-listed Civic Center Historic District. In applying the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for determining the appropriateness of the proposed development, the Project will enhance and maintain the Civic Center Historic District’s overall historic character through the preservation and selective replacement of at-risk and deteriorated architectural elements, based on documentation of their age and characteristics. The Project will not result in a substantial adverse change in the historical significance of the historical resource, the Richmond Main Library and contributing element to the Richmond Civic Center District, as defined under California Code of Regulations/CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5(b).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – BidSummary Report Historic Richmond Main Library Attachment 2 – Contract Award Resolution for the Historic Richmond Main Library Project
Attachment 3 – Proposed Construction Agreement