Krische Construction selected for downtown project featuring new paving, lighting and landscaping, with construction expected to begin in December.
JOHNSTOWN, Colo. — The Johnstown Town Council approved a $1,874,329 construction contract with Krische Construction, Inc. on November 2, advancing a long-planned project to improve the West Parish Alley in downtown Johnstown. The project will introduce new pavement, lighting, landscaping and other improvements, with substantial completion scheduled for December 3, 2027.
The project encompasses the alley west of Parish Avenue between Charlotte Street and State Highway 60. The improvements are intended to address aging infrastructure, improve public safety and create a more functional corridor for downtown businesses, property owners and visitors.
According to the town’s West Parish Alleyway Improvements project page, the project is part of a broader effort to improve downtown infrastructure and public spaces in coordination with Johnstown’s Downtown Master Plan.
What Improvements Are Included?
The approved construction project includes 8,893 square feet of interlocking concrete pavers, seven light poles, 69 pipe bollards, metal gateway features, planter pots, 14 hanging flower baskets, fencing, landscaping and irrigation improvements.
The work will replace portions of the existing alley surface while introducing features intended to improve the appearance and functionality of the corridor. The town’s construction solicitation also identifies earthwork, concrete paving, erosion control and traffic control among the project’s requirements.
The construction contract follows several years of infrastructure preparation. Johnstown engaged BHA Design in November 2023 to develop engineering plans and improvements for the alley, with the final design completed in August 2026.
Utility relocations were completed before the council approved the construction contract. According to information presented during the November 2 meeting, Xcel Energy completed natural gas relocations in summer 2025, communications and telephone relocations were finished in spring 2026, and the final undergrounding work concluded in October.
The town’s earlier project materials also identified sanitary sewer modifications, drainage improvements and additional public parking as priorities for the broader initiative. Those planning objectives are distinct from the specific improvements included in the newly approved construction contract.
Krische Construction Selected From Seven Proposals
The town received seven proposals for the project, evaluating contractors on qualifications, construction methods, proposed schedules, staffing, experience and price.
Krische Construction, a Longmont-based contractor, received the highest evaluation score at 41 points. Mountain Constructors, Inc. submitted a lower proposal of $1,833,150 but received 40 points in the evaluation.
Krische’s approved contract is $41,179 higher than the lower-priced proposal. The selection reflects the town’s evaluation process, which considered more than the initial construction price.
During the November 2 council meeting, the project manager said Krische had demonstrated experience with projects of similar size and scope. References for the company were also described positively, particularly regarding communication and coordination with businesses affected by construction.
The council approved the contract as part of its November 2 meeting. The meeting agenda included the contractor evaluation results, Krische’s proposal and the proposed construction agreement.
Construction Expected to Begin in December
Construction is expected to begin in December 2026, according to information presented to the council. The contract requires the contractor to begin work within seven calendar days after receiving a notice to proceed, with substantial completion required by December 3, 2027, unless the schedule is modified through an approved change order.
The updated timeline represents a significant change from the town’s earlier published schedule, which anticipated completing the permanent alley improvements during 2026. The town’s public project webpage still reflects that earlier tentative schedule.
Substantial completion means the project has progressed sufficiently for its intended use, although final inspections, corrections and remaining work may continue afterward.
A detailed construction schedule identifying when individual portions of the alley will be affected has not yet been confirmed. That information will be particularly important for downtown businesses that rely on the corridor for deliveries, parking and service access.
Business Access and Trash Collection Addressed
Maintaining access to downtown businesses was among the concerns discussed by councilmembers before the contract was approved.
Councilmember Dee Anne Menzies questioned how construction would affect business deliveries and whether the contractor’s plans adequately addressed potential disruptions. She also raised concerns about maintaining trash collection during construction.
According to the project manager’s explanation during the meeting, construction specifications require at least one end of the alley to remain open throughout the project. Krische’s proposed construction phasing plan is intended to sequence work while preserving safe access for adjacent properties, deliveries and trash collection.
Specific arrangements for trash removal will be developed during a preconstruction meeting involving the town and contractor. Businesses are expected to receive information about service access, container locations and collection schedules before the applicable work begins.
Although the access requirements are intended to reduce disruptions, they do not mean every property will retain uninterrupted access throughout construction. The town has previously acknowledged that alley access will be affected while improvements are underway.
Businesses and property owners can contact the project team at parishalley@johnstownco.gov for information about construction impacts and access arrangements.
Contract Includes Contingency for Unforeseen Costs
In addition to approving the $1,874,329 construction contract, the council authorized access to a contingency of up to 10% for unforeseen construction conditions. The town manager may approve contingency expenditures within the authorized and budgeted limits.
A full 10% contingency would equal approximately $187,433, bringing the potential construction expenditure to approximately $2.06 million if the entire amount were used. The contingency is not an additional expenditure that must necessarily occur.
Town staff indicated during the council meeting that funding for the project is included in the town’s 2026 and 2027 fiscal year budgets.
The town’s West Parish Alleyway Improvements webpage previously estimated the overall project cost at approximately $2.5 million. However, that figure dates to an earlier planning stage and has not been established as the final total cost.
The broader project includes engineering, design and utility-related work in addition to the newly awarded construction contract. The amount already spent on those activities and the final overall project cost have not been confirmed.
Next Steps for Downtown Johnstown
With the construction contract approved and utility relocation work completed, the West Parish Alley Project is moving toward its main construction phase.
The next steps include issuing the notice to proceed, finalizing construction phasing and coordinating access arrangements with downtown businesses and affected property owners. The town has indicated that updates about construction impacts will be provided as the project progresses.
The improvements represent a substantial investment in one of Johnstown’s established commercial areas. While the completed project is intended to improve infrastructure and the downtown environment, managing construction disruptions will remain an important consideration as work continues through 2027.
Residents and business owners can follow project announcements through the Town of Johnstown’s West Parish Alleyway Improvements page.
