Staff expects to have a bid proposal for the Avenue of the Fountain median improvements before the Town Council in June.

Development Services Director Paul Mood told the council last week that the project’s scope has been reduced to meet the $1.2 million budget.

Other items in the plan, including a lighting package and shade canopies, will be presented as alternates for the council to decide separately from the bid proposals.

The list of changes presented to the council for discussion includes reduced fountain footprints for the east median plaza, and a modification to the west plaza fountain. Changes to both fountains could save up to $60,000, according to Mood.

Picnic area footprints will be reduced and the number of tables cut back. The number of picnic tables for each of the two center plazas will be reduced from four to two saving about $2,400.

Benches for the art nodes will be eliminated with a plan to accept donations from the public for memorial benches.

Planters will be eliminated from the center plazas.

There will be more open turf for larger event tents.

Eight total shade canopies will be eliminated from picnic areas and center plazas. They will be offered as a bid alternate for council consideration. The cost is estimated at $66,000.

Mood said the electrical system within the median will be reduced from 50 outlets currently to around 32 receptacles.

The plan includes 15 “spider boxes” that can be brought out and add to the outlet capacity for special events.

The proposed lighting package, which has been included as a proposed alternate from the beginning, could cost up to $125,000, according to Mood.

The electrical distribution is being designed by SRP and would include a service box installed on the southwest corner of Avenue of the Fountains and Saguaro Boulevard.

The town will be responsible for trenching about 700 feet to the midpoint on the east median for a transformer installation on the south side of the Avenue. This would allow connection to the electrical system in the median.

The council approved a second item on its agenda last week that pays $26,800 to SRP for its distribution design and connection.

Overall the objective of the improvement project is to replace the outmoded electrical and irrigation systems in the median as well as leaking water features.

Councilman Dennis Brown commended Mood and his staff for the effort they have put into the project.

“I want to commend you, Landmark (designer) and their team for putting together a plan that is affordable and has all we want,” Brown said. “This will be a real fine project.

“I think construction will be the easy part.”

Bidding is to be advertised beginning May 1, with bids opened the end of the month. The objective is for construction to take place between July and the end of October, having work done before the annual Fountain Festival in November.