Johnstown awards $1.87 million West Parish Alley contract to Krische

The Johnstown Town Council approved a $1,874,329 contract with Krische Construction, Inc. of Longmont for the West Parish Alley project, with the project manager saying construction is expected to begin in December and reach substantial completion by Dec. 3, 2027.

The work includes 8,893 square feet of interlocking concrete pavers, seven light poles, 69 pipe bollards, gateway features, planter pots, 14 hanging flower baskets, fencing, planting and irrigation. The approved motion also provides access to a 10% contingency, and the town manager may approve its use for unforeseen conditions on the project, up to the budgeted amount. The project manager said the project is included in the 2026 and 2027 fiscal year budgets.

The town received seven proposals and weighed approaches, qualifications, schedules, staffing and alternative methods as well as price, the project manager said.

Krische scored 41, the highest of the seven. Mountain Constrcutors, Inc. bid less, at $1,833,150, and scored 40. The other bids ranged from $1,877,696.60 to $2,493,630.65, with scores from 29 to 38.

The project manager said Krische submitted a complete proposal and had experience on projects of similar size and scope. He said references were positive and particularly praised its communication and coordination with local businesses.

Councilmember Dee Anne Menzies asked whether the plan would limit disruption to businesses and accommodate deliveries. She asked whether that was "all in the plan."

The project specifications require one end of the alley to remain open at all times during construction, the project manager said. Krische's proposed phasing plan calls for work areas to be sequenced to maintain safe access for adjacent properties, deliveries and trash collection. It also calls for the town and contractor to develop an access plan that keeps at least one functional alley entrance open.

Menzies also asked how trash removal would be handled during construction. She said, "I just know it's important."

The project manager said the town and contractor would work out trash service at a preconstruction meeting. He said businesses would then be told where to access service, where bins would be located and the service dates.

The town engaged BHA Design in November of 2023 for design and engineering services for service enhancements and aesthetic upgrades to the alley. BHA completed the final-improvements design in August of 2026.

All utility relocations for the project had been completed by the Nov. 2 meeting, the project manager said. Xcel Energy finished gas relocations in summer of 2025, and communications and telephone relocations were completed in spring of 2026. A final undergrounding phase wrapped up in October.

The project manager said he believed this would be Krische's first job in Johnstown. A Krische representative said the company is based in Longmont and does much of its work in the Northern Colorado region.

The contract requires work to begin within 7 calendar days of the notice to proceed and substantial completion by Dec. 3, 2027, unless an executed change order changes the dates. If Krische fails to substantially complete the work by that date, the contract allows the town to let it proceed and, in that case, deduct liquidated damages under Section 108.09 of the Colorado Department of Transportation's Standard Specifications for each calendar day the work remains uncompleted.