BIDDEFORD — The Biddeford City Council voted 8-1 to authorize city staff to negotiate an engineering contract  with a Connecticut-based consulting firm for the site evaluation and design of a downtown parking facility.

The council gave initial authorization to a $510,951 contract with Desman Design Management — to be additionally negotiated by City Manager Jim Bennett — for the site evaluation, design, preparation of construction documents, permit approvals and construction administration for a downtown parking garage.

There was no public comment regarding the vote, although City Councilor Michael Swanton voted against the measure, saying he was, “not in favor of spending any money on any parking garages.”

Prior to the council’s meeting, city councilors held a workshop during which they were given the opportunity to discuss the potential of hiring the Rocky Hill, Connecticut-based firm to conduct engineering studies for the parking structure.

In addition to Desman, four other companies submitted proposals to the city for the design of a downtown parking structure, the others being Oak Point Associates of Biddeford; OES Associates of New York City; Platz Associates of Auburn; and Winton Scott Architects, based in Portland.

The council gave approval in November to seek proposals for the design of a downtown parking structure, which city officials have said is crucial in continuing development of the city’s downtown and mill district.

A committee of five members, appointed by Mayor Alan Casavant and headed by City Engineer Tom Milligan, interviewed each firm extensively.

That group found Desman Design to be the most “qualified and responsive firm” and recommended the company for council approval, according to a memo from the Department of Public Works.

Councilor Marc Lessard — who served on the committee — said the decision to recommend Desman was not about cost, but about the firm’s ability to do the job.

“For myself, it was a matter of which organization did I feel the most comfortable was going to find the best value for the ability that they have,” he said “It’s not just the best price. In this particular case, you’re really relying on the expertise of who these people are.”

Lessard said the consultants’ job would not only be to assist in designing the facility, but, citing economic opportunities, what the best location would be to help the city grow.

“If we have interest in moving forward with the garage, we also have to decide where and what it’s going to be used for,” he said. “Depending on where it’s located in the downtown area will facilitate different outcomes.

“With (the Maine Energy site), the case is hopefully that we’re going to draw businesses that will bring 2-, 3-, 400 jobs to the city,” Lessard continued. “I believe we have to put that property to use for jobs as soon as possible.”

During the council’s meeting, Councilor Stephen St. Cyr said he would support the city manager’s contract negotiation, but — citing city officials’ claims that two high-profile companies have passed on Biddeford due to parking concerns — said he wants more government transparency before moving forward.

“I’m going to cautiously support this, although I feel like I’m being walked down the aisle of ultimately building a garage,” he said. “I would feel more comfortable if we had more knowledge about the missed opportunities … then I would be more likely to support this.

St. Cyr also said he wants to stress that taxpayers won’t be funding the garage’s construction. The city instead will solicit a revenue bond to initially build the garage — and, if necessary, draw funds from the tax-increment financing, or TIF, account — to fund construction.

The garage will be paid back for by user fees, city officials stress.

Bennett also said during the workshop, pending the council’s authorization, he would want to see the consultants assist in designing a facility that could be repurposed depending on future parking needs.

Prior to the council’s vote, Councilor Bob Mills said he would be pleased to select Desman as the vendor.

“Desman really blew us away,” he said. “As a city councilor and citizen of the city of Biddeford, I think I would be proud of the project they would complete.”

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or [email protected].