The skatespot meant to be installed at Roxhill Park is going through some changes as a result of bid problems. Grindline Skateparks, the West Seattle based company had the highest bid but since the other bidders were deemed "unresponsive" they were disqualified. Now, the process is going back for another round of bids. Kelly Davidson of Seattle Parks shared this information:

"The Roxhill project is being re-bid. The only qualified bid was $29K over the estimate, leaving us with a very low contingency. I expect the project to Re-bid on July 25th and this will push construction out to start in late August or early September. "

Original post July 12
The process is moving right along this week as Seattle Parks Roxhill “Skatespot" skateboard plaza got the go-ahead from the city’s Department of Planning and Development to start building after passing an environmental impact review, and the bidding process for builders came to an end on July 11.

42 companies bid on all or part of the project going in at Roxhill Park between S.W. Barton and S.W. Roxbury, including West Seattle's own Grindline who built the Delridge skatepark.

They are in the running to win the contract because of something "pretty strange" said Matt Fluegge, Grindline's Chief Operations Officer. "We all know how to bid on skateparks, but for some reason the other bids were called unresponsive."

The winning bid has not been announced as yet but Grindline has the highest bid at $572,000, close to $30,000 over the estimate. They are followed by Paul Brothers of Boring OR at $562,674 and T.F. Sahli Construction in Seahurst near Burien at $498,480. The low bid was from California Skateparks in Upland, CA at $446,849.

"We're just holding our breath on this," Fluegge of Grindline said.

In addition to the skate plaza, the project will include renovation of play equipment and total 9,000 sq. feet. $450,000 was allocated for the play area and $600,000 for the skatepark. It is funded by the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy. The Rob Dydrek Foundation also donated $75,000 for the project, part of their mission to promote safe and legal skate spots for skaters across the nation.

The “plaza design” of the Roxhill skatespot will include elements traditionally found in the streets and along public and private buildings, including ledges, stairs and rails – prime skating features that are often accompanied by “No Skateboarding” signs, angry security guards or other deterrents throughout the city.

Construction is expected to start this summer.

To read more on the project, please check out these earlier Herald stories:

SLIDESHOW: Roxhill Park Skatespot schematic design revealed and discussed

SLIDESHOW: Roxhill Park playground choices presented and discussed