West University Place City Council authorized a $629,538 contract Oct. 12 with Austin-based construction company Synth Construction for services related to the city’s recreation center fitness improvements, according to agenda documents.
The amount was awarded following a 4-1 vote, with council member Kalie Rainsberger voting no.
Breaking it down
On Sept. 24, city staff completed an evaluation of bids submitted for the fitness facility’s construction. The city received five bids, Parks and Recreation Director Susan White said in the presentation.
Synth’s bid was identified as the one providing the most value to West U and the project’s scope. The company’s bid included:
The base bid price of $572,695
The alternate bid price of $56,843 for the recreation center’s upstairs corridor improvements and stair flooring replacement
These two sums combined result in a nearly $630,000 total contract value. White told the council that staff did not find any problems related to Synth’s performance, ability to manage the project’s schedule or ability to financially execute the job.
She added that all of Synth’s references came back positive, with some contacts noting the company’s strong communication skills and suitable completion times on former projects.
What they're saying
Rainsberger said she had doubts about Synth’s ability to adequately fulfill the project due to the company’s level of experience, or lack thereof, with projects of such magnitude and costs. She also raised concerns about the city’s capital project management capabilities and internal staffing within the Public Works Department.
“The company suggested has only operated about a year and four months, and I looked at the projects that they have done,” Rainsberger told her fellow council members. “I think we will be the most expensive project that they’ve ever completed.”
Synth Construction Principal Kenil Patel, who was present at the Oct. 12 meeting, provided council members with background information on his and the company’s expertise.
He mentioned Synth’s completion of a few projects in the past year that are similar to the recreation center’s, and noted how its strong network with specialty contractors allowed it to present such a “competitive” project proposal to the city.
“I’ve been in three multibillion-dollar general contractors. I’ve done two skyscrapers in Austin,” Patel said. “I would like to say that my expertise in construction overall is presentable for this project, given its scope.”
Mayor Pro Tem John Barnes asked White directly if she or other members of the Parks and Recreation Department had any concerns about West U’s capital project staffing with regard to the improvement project. White said she had none and did not intend to utilize the Public Works project manager.
Going forward
White reiterated that the recreation center will remain open for the most part while construction is underway.
While there is a possibility that project developers may need to shut down the space for one to two days for tile removal and noise accommodations, she anticipates that they will collaborate with the city to work “through those processes” as quickly as possible.
Synth’s mobilization date is slated for the week of Oct. 26, with phase one of the project anticipated to be completed in late January. Phase two will begin shortly after. The entire project is scheduled to wrap up by the end of April 2027, White said.
