The City of Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Board of Commissioners has awarded Gunter Construction the design-build contract for a destination education playsite at Martin Luther King Jr. Square Park sponsored by The 15 & The Mahomies Foundation. The $1,000,000 dollar contract includes community engagement, conceptual design, developing construction documents, performing all work, and acquiring all materials for construction of the playground. The final completion for this project is set for August 2021.
Project funding is provided through a cooperative agreement with the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation. Gunter Construction (WBE) has put together a diverse team that is representative of the community this playsite hopes to serve. The project team will utilize more than 20% Minority-Owned Businesses and over 55% Women-Owned Businesses.
The team lead, by Gunter Construction, includes:
- Ochsner Hare & Hare (Design Lead)
- DuBois Consultants (MBE) (Civil and Structural Engineering);
- Parsons and Associates (MBE) (Community Engagement);
- Custom Engineering (MBE) (Lighting and Electrical Engineering);
- Lovelace & Associates (MBE) (Land Surveying);
- Dye Electric (MBE) (Light and Electrical Contractor);
- IBC Traffic (MBE) (Traffic Control);
- Erosion Specialists (MBE) (Erosion Control);
- Kompan (Playground Equipment);
- Fry & Associates (Playground Equipment); and
- RGS & Associates Development (MBE) (Concrete and Hauling)
This innovative playsite will focus on civil rights and racial justice. The vendor will work closely with the project’s Community Design Team, a diverse group of community leaders, who have been working to shape the design, themes, and content of the site. This public design process has ensured the end users informed our selection process and design of the site.
On October 7, 2020 the Parks Department received RFQ/Ps from five design-build teams for the construction of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Square Playground. Each team was scored and interviewed. The project was rebid to each of the teams that submitted with clarifications that there needed to be greater connection to the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation, and they will have a guaranteed maximum price of $1,000,000.00 to design and construct the playground.
On November 5, 2020 the Parks Department received the rebid RFQ/Ps for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Square Playground. The technical submittals were reviewed and scored by a selection committee, and it was determined that the best team for the project was Gunter Construction Company.
About 15 and the Mahomies Foundation
The 15 and the Mahomies Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of children through initiatives that focus on education, health, wellness, underserved communities, and other charitable causes. It was established by reigning Super Bowl MVP, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes in 2019.