Award of Public Improvement Construction Contract — Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment ProjectCity of Dubuque
City Council
ACTION ITEMS # 3.
Copyrighted
December 1, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Award of Public Improvement Construction Contract —
Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council adopt the attached
resolution to approve the Comiskey Park Phase 2
Redevelopment Project and award the Public Improvement
Construction Contract to Portzen Construction in the amount
of $2,515,000.00, 25.5% under the engineer's estimate.
RESOLUTION Awarding The Public Improvement
Construction Contract For The Comiskey Park Phase 2
Redevelopment Project
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. Staff Memo
3. Resolution
4. Award Recommendation Letter
Page 863 of 1214
THE CITY OF
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Award of Public Improvement Construction Contract - Comiskey Park
Phase 2 Redevelopment Project
DATE: November 24, 2025
Parks and Recreation Director Matthew Kalcevich is recommending City Council adopt
the attached resolution to approve the Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project
and award the Public Improvement Construction Contract to Portzen Construction in the
amount of $2,515,000.00, 25.5% under the engineer's estimate.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
1�,A� k�4
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Matthew Kalcevich, Parks and Recreation Director
Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Laura Bendorf, Budget Manager
Steve Fehsal, Park Division Manager
Marie Ware, Acting Project and Facilities Manger
Page 864 of 1214
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Matthew K. Kalcevich, Parks and Recreation Director
DATE: November 24, 2025
RE: Award of Public Improvement Construction Contract - Comiskey Park
Phase 2 Redevelopment Project
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum is to provide information to the City Council recommending the
award of the Public Improvement Construction Contract for the Comiskey Park Phase 2
Redevelopment Project.
L xel 1611LL;
Reimagine Comiskey Phase 1 project included a new playground, splash pad, a
basketball court, walkway additions, seating walls, park amenities like litter
receptacles, bike racks, picnic tables, etc., one small and one larger shade picnic
shelters, trees, landscaping, bioswale, native seeding, and other improvements. June
29, 2023 Reimagine Comiskey Park Phase 1 opened to the public.
The Phase 1 project had a variety of funding sources. The City of Dubuque was
awarded a $508,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund Outdoor Recreation Legacy
Partnership Program grant from the National Park Service to expand outdoor
recreational opportunities in the park. That grant was matched with City of Dubuque
capital improvement funding in the amount of $1,393,545 and Housing and Urban
Development Community Development Block grant funding in the amount of $429,480.
The Wellmark Foundation awarded the project $100,000 as a part of Wellmark's Large
MATCH Grant Program, used toward the addition of a splash pad and expansion of
basketball courts at the park and a $25,000 America In Bloom/CN EcoConnexions From
the Ground Up grants for trees, native forbes, and grass seed, shrubs, and flowers. The
total project cost of Phase 1 was $2,456,025.
During Phase 1 construction staff began searching for grants to assist with Phase 2
funding. The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program assisted in
funding Phase 1. Prior to round 7 funding, communities were not eligible to reapply for
a second grant on the same property. The round 7 Notice of Funding Opportunity
1
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(NOFO) for ORLP was changed to allow this, making it a grant that could be sought
again. The City Council approved the ORLP application for Reimagine Comiskey
Phase 2 at their March 4, 2024 City Council meeting and approved the grant agreement
after grant award at their September 15, 2025 meeting.
DISCUSSION
Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) funding will support recreational
improvements at Comiskey Park in Dubuque, Iowa. National Park Service (NPS)
resources will benefit people who live in Census Tract 19061000500, with 24.1 %
poverty (compared to 12.5% nationally), a median household income of $37,952 (less
than the national level of $75,149), and a significant minority population (23.7%).
Federal investment will support:
• Construction of two additional full-size basketball courts;
• Development of new shaded picnic areas;
• Replacement of an older basketball court, skate spot, and tennis court with a multi-
use playing field;
• Building trails and providing lighting throughout the park;
• Establishment of a new park entryway;
• Creation of a 53-stall parking lot; and
• Additional landscaping including trees and native plantings
Rehabilitation of Comiskey Park will complete the transformation of this well -loved and
well -used public space. The proposed improvements are a result of the extensive "Re -
Imagine Comiskey" community engagement process (supported with a previous ORLP
grant) that involved input sessions, focus groups, community surveys, and a music -
infused Hip Hop PARKitecture workshop designed for children ages 10-17. Key
planning participants included local neighborhood associations, the Dubuque
Community School District youth, youth organizations, and non-profit community
partners.
Community Development Block Grant funding was used for the work by the
architectural and engineering consultant to prepare the bid specifications. These funds
are administered by the Housing and Community Development Department.
Saiki Design prepared 100% plans and specifications for the park redevelopment. The
plans and specifications were reviewed and approved by the City's Development
Review Team. The project completion date is September 30, 2026.
BUDGET IMPACT
The City Council approved $1,697,000 in G.O. Debt funding (Greater Downtown TIF) for
the Comiskey Park Phase 2 redevelopment in the current FY 26 budget. The FY 26
budget amendment #1 contained $6,848 needed to match the final grant award. CDBG
funding in the amount of $276,851 has been used for planning and design with
2
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expenses retroactive to the project. This allowed the fast turnaround from receiving the
grant agreement. The city funding is being used to match the $1,980,699 National Park
Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy grant.
BID RESULTS
The City received sealed bids on November 24, 2025 for the Comiskey Park Phase 2
Redevelopment Project. The estimate of probable cost prepared by Saiki Design for the
construction portion of the project is $3,376,900.00. Portzen Construction Inc. of
Dubuque, Iowa submitted the low base bid in the amount of $2,515,000.00. Saiki
Design recommends Portzen Construction Inc. as the lowest, responsive, responsible
bidder.
Contractor Name
Base Bid
Portzen Construction Inc.
$2,515,000.00
Valentine Construction Co.
$2,527,850.00
Tricon Construction Group
$2,725,000.00
The total current project budget available for design, engineering, construction, survey,
construction inspection, project management, and contingency is as follows:
Project Number 3049900001 $3,961,397
Relmagine Comiskey Development
RECOMMENDATION
I respectfully request Mayor and City Council adopt the attached resolution to approve
the Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project and award the Public Improvement
Construction Contract in the amount of $2,515,000.00.
Prepared by Marie L. Ware, Acting Project and Facilities Manager
cc: Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Laura Bendorf, Budget Manager
Steve Fehsal, Park Division Manager
Attachment: Resolution
3
Page 867 of 1214
Prepared by Marie L. Ware, Acting Project and Facilities Manager, 2200 Bunker Hill Road Dubuque IA 52001 (563)589-4263
Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder City Clerk City of Dubuque, 50 W. 13th St. Dubuque, IA 52001 (563)589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 385-25
AWARDING THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE
COMISKEY PARK PHASE 2 REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Whereas, sealed proposals have been submitted by contractors for the Comiskey Park
Phase 2 Redevelopment Project, pursuant to Resolution No. 375-25 and Notice to Bidders on the
4th day of November 2025; and
Whereas, said sealed proposals were opened and read on the 24th day of November 2025,
and it has been determined that Portzen Construction Inc., of Dubuque, Iowa, with a bid in the
amount of $2,515,000.00, is the lowest responsive, responsible bidder for the Project.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
That a Public Improvement Contract for the Project is hereby awarded to Portzen
Construction Inc. and the City Manager is hereby directed to execute a Public Improvement
Contract on behalf of the City of Dubuque for the Project.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 1 st day of December 2025.
Attest:
Adrienne N. Breitfelder�dty Clerk
Sa k DESIGN
November 24, 2025
Transmitted Via Email
Marie Ware, Acting Project and Facilities Manager, Parks and Recreation Department H City of Dubuque
Re: Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project - Award Recommendation
Dear Marie,
On November 24, 2025, the City of Dubuque publicly opened bids for the Comiskey Park Phase 2
Redevelopment Project. A total of three bids were received. Following the bid opening, our team reviewed the
bid documents for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with the project's contract requirements.
Based on our review, Portzen Construction, Inc. submitted the apparent low bid in the amount of $2,515,000,
which is below the engineers estimate of $3,376,900. We verified that their bid includes all required
documentation, including acknowledgement of all addenda, properly executed bid forms, unit prices, and
bonds. No material irregularities were identified during our review.
We recommend that the City of Dubuque award the contract for the Comiskey Park Phase 2
Redevelopment Project to Portzen Construction, Inc. in the amount of $2,515,000, pending the City's final
legal and procurement review.
Please feel free to contact us if you need additional information or further analysis of the bids. We appreciate
the opportunity to assist with this project.
Sincerely,
4h�1WI;tA-
Abbie Moilien, Managing Principal H Saiki Design
Page 869 of 1214