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Consideration of request for a waiver of the competitive bidding process, approval of a contract with Michael Baker International and their subconsultants for retaining wall and street design services in conjunction with the reconstruction of STH 181 (Glenview Avenue & Wauwatosa Avenue) from Wisconsin Avenue to Center Street in the amount of $319,147.67, and approval of a level III fund transfer of $50,000 for cemetery retaining wall design.
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Submitted by:
Boris Veleusic, PE
City Engineer
Department
DPW, Engineering
A. Issue
The City’s Capital Improvements Program (CIP) includes the reconstruction of STH 181 (Glenview Avenue & Wauwatosa Avenue) from Wisconsin Avenue to Center Street (CIP project #1121). The design is currently underway for the roadway, bridge maintenance, and storm sewers located along this route.
A design contract is needed at this time for design to replace the retaining wall along the Wauwatosa Cemetery ahead of the STH 181 roadway reconstruction, which is under a different WisDOT contract. Also included in this contract is design services for a multiuse path on the south side of Harwood Ave from Glenview Avenue to Dewey Street and roadway reconstruction of North Avenue from the STH 181 project limits through the 73rd Street intersection in conjunction with the project. Work through the 73rd Street intersection was not included in the original scope. The scope of this work is adjacent to the project’s construction but outside of the DOT’s funding jurisdiction.
B. Background/Options
This route is a Connecting Highway in the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s (WisDOT) Roadway System. Because STH 181 is a Connecting Highway, WisDOT will be covering the majority of the cost of the roadway reconstruction, bridge maintenance work and storm sewer improvements. The City will be responsible for a portion of the construction costs at the intersections based on safety and operational improvements. The percentage breakdown and cost share of these costs is still being finalized with a State Municipal Agreement (SMA) between the City and WisDOT. However, WisDOT will not pay for any costs related to the reconstruction of elements outside of their identified survey and scoping area, which does not include the areas included in this contract.
In order to select the design consultant for the reconstruction of the roadway, bridge maintenance and storm sewer improvements, the City and WisDOT proceeded through a Quality Based Selection process that resulted in two (2) proposals. The proposals received were reviewed and both firms were interviewed. Ultimately, Michael Baker International was selected as the preferred consultant to lead the overall design of this project and design is underway.
The Wauwatosa Cemetery wall is in poor condition, was identified as a need and was included in the CIP to be constructed in 2029, ahead of the roadway reconstruction currently scheduled for 2030, based on WisDOT funding. On January 9th, 2026, a portion of the wall collapsed. Temporary measures have been put in place to stabilize the exposed soil to avoid further deterioration and collapse, but the City now needs to accelerate the design and construction to rebuild the retaining wall in 2027.
The inclusion of a multiuse path on Harwood Avenue in place of a pedestrian sidewalk is at the City’s request based on public feedback at the Public Involvement Meeting held in November of 2025. Because WisDOT included the pedestrian sidewalk in the scope along this route, the City will be responsible for the difference in cost between the sidewalk and the multi-use path for both design and construction. The new multi-use path will provide a critical connection on Harwood Ave. and from the south and west to areas east and south at Hart Park, parking lots, and other locations.
The intersection of Wauwatosa Avenue & North Avenue is included in the STH 181 reconstruction project. In WisDOT’s scope of the intersection, the eastern construction limits ended at 75th Street. In order to lengthen the westbound left turn lane, include desirable taper lengths and replace the substandard pedestrian sidewalk that is only 18 inches in width, the City requested the eastern limits of the intersection be extend to 73rd Street. The City will be responsible for the total cost of both design and construction for the area between 75th Street and 73rd Street.
Given the fact that Michael Baker International was selected through a request for proposal process we asked them to prepare a proposal for design services for the retaining wall, path and street design. Also, by considering use of Michael Baker International for these designs, costs would be reduced because they already have survey, preliminary designs for the WisDOT project area and have identified the match points for all additional elements. (Much of the costs will be paid through the roadway reconstruction process). Subconsultants include:
1. Kapur and Associates - survey and mapping, right-of-way plat, title searches and appraisal staking - 18,632.02.
2. Singh and Associates - additional lighting design for removals, temporary lighting, and new lighting - $26,297.52.
3. Gestra Engineering - geotechnical borings and engineering for cemetery retaining wall - $9.020.00.
4. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee - historic and archaeological investigation services for the cemetery wall and Longfellow Middle School - $6,200.00
City staff worked with Michael Baker International to scope the retaining wall, path and street design requirements so that they could prepare a cost for the City’s consideration. The proposed design fee is $319,147.67. This fee based on a percentage of construction cost estimates is 2% depending upon final construction costs. This percentage is significantly less than we normally expect for projects like this, which is generally closer to 5% - 7%. Given all of these factors, staff is recommending that we waive the request for proposal process and award a design contract to Michael Baker International and their subconsultants for a cost $319,147.67.
C. Strategic Plan (Area of Focus)
Priority Area Three: Infrastructure
D. Fiscal Impact
The 2026 Capital Budget (CIP project #1121) includes the design and construction costs for this project and the proposed design fees are within the budgeted amounts for all items noted, with the exception of the cemetery retaining wall design.
A level III fund transfer of $50,000 is requested to advance design costs for the cemetery retaining wall design, originally budgeted for 2029.
E. Recommendation
Approval to waive the competitive bidding process, approve a contract with Michael Baker International and their subconsultants for retaining wall and street design services in conjunction with the reconstruction of STH 181 (Glenview Avenue & Wauwatosa Avenue) from Wisconsin Avenue to Center Street in the amount of $319,147.67, and approval of a level III fund transfer of $50,000 to reallocate funds from 2029 to 2026 for design of the cemetery retaining wall.