Otter Habitat @ Bays Mountain Park

The City of Kingsport is seeking a contractor to design‑build an otter habitat in Bays Mountain Park. The contract is a lump‑sum construction award with a separate “rock allowance” priced per cubic yard. Five construction firms submitted bids ranging from roughly $2.4 M to $3.34 M, with rock allowances between $150 and $350 per cubic yard. The bid opening took place on October 29 2025; evaluation and award are pending. This project offers a mid‑size municipal construction opportunity focused on wildlife‑habitat facilities, requiring expertise in civil construction, earthwork, and possibly landscaping or environmental compliance. • Scope: Design‑build of an otter habitat, including site preparation, rock excavation, and construction of water‑feature structures. • Contract Value: Lump‑sum bids $2.4 M–$3.34 M plus rock‑allowance unit pricing. • Contractor Requirements: Ability to manage a multi‑million‑dollar construction project, provide rock‑excavation and placement, and coordinate with city park officials and consulting engineers. • Timeline: Bid opening already occurred; award date not yet set, so schedule remains uncertain. • Decision Makers: City procurement staff (Procurement Manager Brent Morelock) and park management.