Delridge Skatepark: Officially out to re-bid; SPAC airs frustrations

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

As previewed here last week, the re-bidding process for Delridge Skatepark is officially open today – the city is advertising for bidders starting today, and will open the bids on February 2nd. Skatepark construction is estimated to cost about half a million dollars. The Delridge project – planned for the greenspace north of Delridge Community Center, at the northwest corner of Delridge and Genesee (photo above, with tags blurred) – was the first topic for the citywide Skatepark Advisory Committee last night. After noting that the project was about to go out for re-bidding, committee members discussed their frustration with the way the first bidding process ended – the low bidder didn’t meet the qualifications that were developed with SPAC input, but instead of then automatically giving the contract to the 2nd-lowest bidder, which was associated with the local company, Grindline, that designed the park, Parks management decided to rewrite the qualifications. One big frustration for committee members, particularly chair Ryan Barth and West Seattle’s Matthew Lee Johnston (who elaborates on the frustrations in this new post at SeattleSkateparks.org), was the fact that the city could not legally send the project out for a design/build bid; Parks staffer Susan Golub explained state law prevents that. Barth and Johnston wondered how to push for a change in that law – while noting that could take years, and more skateparks will be built in the meantime. (Delridge is one of five citywide slated for construction this year – “The Year of the Skatepark,” Barth dubbed it before adjourning the meeting.)

Alki Resident January 11, 2011 (4:37 pm)

Im done even thinking there will be a skate park nearby by the time my son graduates school.Too many disappointments trying to get a sp in our area.So many nice skateparks we go to from Ballard to Spanaway and here its just one thing after another.

ltfd January 11, 2011 (5:17 pm)

The “Seattle Process” is a miserable one.

Misc January 11, 2011 (5:17 pm)

There are more important projects than building a skatepark. Like repaving Delridge Way. sigh

Tony January 11, 2011 (7:05 pm)

I’m guessing you’re not familiar with the history of this project and the enormous amount of work and money passionate citizens like Matt and Ryan have put into getting this park built. I would suggest that you rally some likeminded folks and see if you can get Delridge repaved. I would love to celebrate your success should you get as far as these fine gentlemen have.

Will January 11, 2011 (9:32 pm)

Shouldn’t we feel fortunate that public funds are being spent to build skateparks? Even golfers are now complaining when the City allocates funds to help improve facilities i.e. West Seattle Driving Range.

When did public dollars become a right? I haven’t heard any mention of fundraising or seeking private dollars from local or national sponsors to get this project built… Notice the playground across the way that was built and the hardworkers that got that project
completed.

If you choose to have public money to build your parks, then abide by their laws and bidding practices. The federal goverment also awards by low-bidder. Deal with it.

If you have a design team that puts forth a design that meets the expecations and is build-able, it is up to the design team to execute their design no matter who is awarded the contract. They design team, along with Parks has to properly oversee the project and has the right to have the contractor buiild the project as designed or face penalty.

Woud you complain if this skatepark was built under budget and met the expectations of the design? Or would you still be upset that it was not completed by your buddies??? Only time will tell, good luck!

MLJ January 12, 2011 (8:05 am)

@Will: I appeciate the sentiment of your comment (be grateful and understand the process. We are and you can bet your life we do) but this project was made possible first by much hard work, lobbying, and yes…fundraising, by Skatepark advocates and coommunity members who have been working as volunteers for over 7 years in Seattle. Myself included. I understand the realities of this process better than I ever expected to, and if there’s anything that spending 3-4 years per project teaches you is that you should be happy when absolutely anything gets through the “Seattle process”, and actually materializes.
.
But more importantly, this particular project is is product of an unprecedented amount of community support. The neighbors in Delridge have rallied, supported, lobbied, and participated in this project at a level that has been totally unseen at any other Skatepark project in Seattle.
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Your assertions seem good natured, but I believe you have some gaps in your understanding on this project and the work that the people involved have put in. We have earned the right to provide the city with constructive input when we think the process can be improved to benefit the outcome, which in this case, is a publicly funded facility that we want to be world class and the best it can be.
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Finally, this is not about hiring our buddies. All we want is the best qualified builder that the budget can afford. Nothing more, nothing less.