Broomfield council approves $1.55M Markel, Wottge open-space work

Broomfield City Council unanimously approved a $1,549,177 construction agreement for improvements at Markel and Wottge open spaces. Construction is expected to begin in September and finish by the end of summer 2027, according to the city staff packet.

The agreement with Richdell Construction Inc. is Resolution 2026-39 and was listed as consent item 6.B on the council's Aug. 11 agenda. The council agenda identifies the project as the Markel Wottge Open Space Plan implementation. The council approved consent items 6.A through 6.D by a 10-0 vote, the meeting transcript records.

The project includes crusher-fine and concrete loop trails, benches, picnic shade pavilions and shelters, interpretive signs, drainage and grading, native landscaping and irrigation, and an education and fishing deck at Markel. Wottge would receive trails, benches, a pavilion, interpretive signs, tree and shrub groves, and riparian vegetation. The work also includes ADA ramps, sidewalks, fencing, gates, restoration, and stormwater and erosion controls, the city staff packet says.

The plan calls for connections from both Aspen Street approaches to Markel and from Sheridan Boulevard to Wottge. The city's project page says the improvements are intended to connect residents with the Broomfield Trail and other regional trails without long vehicle trips. The existing Markel concrete trail is a well-used school connection, the page says.

The project budget is $2,360,774 in account 22-70070-55200 for Markel and Wottge Open Space Plan Implementation, project 18Z0133. It includes $119,825 for landscape and irrigation consulting, $91,550 for civil engineering, $71,382 for structural engineering, $1,549,177 for construction, $154,918 for a 10% contingency and $40,000 for environmental clearance and materials testing, leaving a projected balance of $333,922. The records do not identify the underlying funding source.

The planned connection from Wottge to Sheridan Boulevard and Meadow Mountain Drive remains excluded because of challenges achieving ADA-compliant crossings. The staff report identifies alternatives through the Lake Link Trail underpass at Wottge's south end and near Dillon Road at the north end. Staff has separately engaged a consultant to identify multimodal and safety improvements along Sheridan Boulevard, but the packet gives no design, funding commitment or completion date for that work.

The council also approved Resolution 2026-84, a third amendment to its agreement with the Mile High Flood District for design and construction of drainage and flood-control improvements for the City Park Channel at Main Street. The available meeting record does not state the amendment's dollar amount, contractor or additional scope details.