Mason City council to consider construction contract for Riverwalk project

MASON CITY — The City Council in Mason City tonight will consider approving a bid for construction of the Willow Creek Riverwalk project.

The proposed riverwalk includes play elements, public art, access to nature, benches and picnic areas and will wrap around the south side of the parking lot between the Mason City Arena and Music Man Square.

Only one bid was received for the project, that was from Henkel Construction of Mason City for $3.698 million, plus one alternate bid that the council will consider for $40,500 that includes additional lighting and a stone walkway toward the east from the riverwalk area.

City administrator Aaron Burnett says in a memo to the council that while the bid is over the estimated $3.3 million amount for the project, the recommendation is to move forward because city staff and consultants do not believe that the price will improve with any delays and rebidding the project.

Burnett says the amount can be covered through higher-than expected revenues in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget in Local Option Sales and Service Tax and interest income.

The council meets tonight at 7 o’clock in the Mason City Room of the Public Library.