Portland has issued a Request for Proposal, (“RFP”) for controversial work to be done at the current end of Thames Street on the eastern waterfront. The street is parallel to the Maine Narrow Gauge Museum & Railroad and adjacent to the Amethyst Parking Lot, scheduled to be a public park sometime in the future. The city’s RFP is dated January 10, 2019 with a deadline of submission of bids Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 3:00 pm. to the Purchasing Room at city hall. Thereafter a group of city officials will meet to decide the winning bidder

The project description in the RFP is lengthy, but goes like this:

“The project work includes installation of sewer and storm drain pipe, a 60-inch storm drain outfall which includes the demolition and repair of an existing seawall and the support of excavation of a 33″ force main, electrical conduit duct banks and structures, telecommunication duct banks and structures, sidewalk, catch basin and drain manhole structures, street construction and reconstruction, earthwork, dewatering and associated work as shown on contract drawings and documents. Work also includes water utility extension which is required to be coordinated with the Portland Water District. Bids shall be on a lump sum and unit price basis and include alternate bid items as indicated in the Bid Form.”

The winning contractor is required to complete the project at substantial completion with all base paving by September 13, 2019.