Kirkland Racing to Find New Contractor to Finish Juanita Beach Project

The City of Kirkland is racing to find a new contractor to complete the modernization of Juanita Beach within the time allowed by its state and federal permits, after last week firing the original contractor.

On Tuesday, the City Council waived the standard competitive bidding process to allow the Parks and Community Services Department to expedite the search.

“We have a site that doesn’t have new vegetation planted,” Michael Cogle, interim deputy parks director, said Thursday. “We’re anxious to complete work along the (Juanita) creek and newly created marsh.”

The city’s permits require that all work along the creek and the adjacent new wetlands area be completed by Aug. 31, around the time mature salmon begin arriving in Lake Washington and its tributary streams from the sea.

Last Friday, the city fired the original contractor, DMSL Contruction of Arlington, for failing to finish the modernization of the southern, beach portion of by June 1, as its contract required.

DMSL was hired in March 2010 with a $1.18 million contract to completely modernize the southern part of the park, including the beach area on Lake Washington.

The beach has been a popular recreation spot since the 1920s, not long after the lake was lowered with the construction of the Lake Washington Ship Canal.

The contractor began work in May 2010 and expected to finish the job in 10 to 12 months. However, unusually wet weather since the work began hindered progress, and earlier this spring DMSL officials acknowledged difficulties as well due to the weak economy and poor loan market.

Cogle said Thursday that it remains uncertain when the beach area of the park might be reopened.

“We can’t really answer that until we get a new contractor on board,” he said. “We have a short list of folks we have worked with in the past that we know have the capacity, and a track record we know.

“I suspect in a week or so we’ll have some news.”

The city continues to hear from residents distressed about the delay  in the reopening of the beach area of the park, which has been closed since May of 2010.

“Citizens want their park back,” Cogle said. “There seems to be a sense of appreciation that the council took action. Now I think everybody wants to see results from the city.”

Kirkland Patch has made several attempts to reach DMSL Construction, but has not received any response. 

The upland portion of Juanita Beach Park, on the north side of Juanita Drive, remains open. The city will be posting updates on its Juanita Beach Park Master Plan webpage.