Jun 2, 2022
MARQUETTE — The Lake Superior Shoreline Restoration Project moved along further on Tuesday with the selection of a conditional contractor.
At a public hearing, the Marquette City Commission voted 7-0 for Smith Construction Inc., based in Marquette, to be the contractor. Smith Construction issued an approximate bid of $4.31 million for the project.
Other companies issuing bids were Payne and Dolan Inc.-Milwaukee for approximately $6.25 million; A. Lindberg & Sons, based in Marquette, for about $6.3 million; and Bacco Construction Company, based in Iron Mountain, for about $6.35 million.
The project cost was estimated at $7.36 million. Baird Engineering was the consulting design engineer.
According to city officials, plans have been developed for the restoration of the Lake Superior shoreline adjacent to Lakeshore Boulevard between Hawley and Pine streets. The proposed project includes shoreline armoring and stabilization, habitat restoration and the creation of an enhanced public recreation area.
“It is nice to be able to save a few million dollars on the bid process, which the city certainly direly needs, to complete the project,” said Commissioner Fred Stonehouse, who noted that Smith already has performed work on the project, and other city and state projects.
Commissioner Sally Davis acknowledged the discrepancy of the bid amounts, but she said staff assured her Smith’s bid was legitimate and presents no risk to the city.
“I just cannot in good conscience decline this bid and accept another for an additional $2 million because it is our taxpayers who will be absorbing that $2 million,” Davis said.
City Manager Karen Kovacs pointed out that Smith Construction must follow the contract, and if the project ends up costing more than what it is charging the city, the company will be responsible for those costs.
The city is awaiting final permits from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The city is required to honor the bid prices for 120 days while it awaits permit approvals, although this period can be extended if the city does not receive permits during the 120 days.
Final commission approval of a contractor will be required once permits are removed.
Carl Lindquist, executive director of the Superior Watershed Partnership, said in an email that the Lake Superior Coastal Resiliency Project will restore 4,200 feet of severely impacted Great Lakes coastline, including 38 acres of coastal floodplain. The area includes three acres of sand beach, 16 acres of dune/swale complex, three acres of coastal wetland and 16 acres of terrestrial wildlife and bird habitat as well as 1.6 acres of near-shore aquatic habitat, and an Americans With Disabilities Act-accessible public access/trail system.
Lindquist said SWP secured a $2.5 million National Fish and Wildlife National Coastal Resilience Grant.
“This grant in cooperation with city match will cover costs associated with design and implementation,” Lindquist said. “The final design will allow the public to access Lake Superior in this area for the first time in almost a century, from huge boulders/riprap to small cobble that can be walked over, plus the restoration of dune, swale, wetlands, native plant species and public access trails.”
Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.
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