Phase One of the proposal reviewed by officials
By Barb Pert Templeton
Plans for the new marina in Marine City, on S. Main Street between Marine & Bridge Streets,
are moving forward. City Manager Michael Reaves shared drawings and information about the project at a March 6 city commission meeting.
“I don’t want you to be bewitched by this project, it’s moving along but we’re having some issues in terms of adjusting it to the budget that we have and the availability of grants,” Reaves said.
The plans are being broken down into three different phases and the first renderings for phase one reflected the addition of walkways, a cement pavilion area, sidewalks and parking along Marine Street.
Looking at the drawings, other areas indicated for phase two included concrete pads for trash receptacles, seating benches and a boardwalk.
“You’ll see things that aren’t in there that you were familiar with from when this project was first brought out,” Reaves said.
In reviewing the costs with the city’s engineering firm, Anderson, Eckstein and Westrick, Inc. (AEW) Reaves said they have decided to remove a number of different items from phase one and have the city cost them out themselves and seek bids. He then listed restrooms, the pavilion and a fish station as examples of what the city would like to seek bids on.
Marine City Commissioner William Klaassen posed a few questions about the new city marina during a March 6 meeting.
“We’ve already located what we believe are suitable enhancements that will be far below what they budgeted and will bring value to the park,” Reaves said.
He then asked the commission to review the renderings and pose any questions they had for him and then authorize the seeking of bids for phase one of the project.
“We are making arrangements as we secure these bids and see what the costs come back at how close it is to the engineers and it will determine our next ask of the granters for additional funds to complete phase two and phase three,” Reaves said.
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Hendrick said she noticed a drawing showed the removal of two large trees and wondered if they were bad or just in a bad location. Reaves said they were in a bad location.
“Most of it has to do with existing water lines or stuff that’s already in the ground that we’re going to keep and use so the trees have to go,” Reaves said. “But we will add additional trees and that will be phase three.”
Hendrick than said she noticed additional street parking on Main Street and wondered if that might be a spot for a food truck to park during a future event. Designating the spot for a food truck and blocking it off could be possible and Reaves also noted that there will be electrical hookups at the spot.
In addition, Reaves said the plan addresses the need for additional parking off Main Street too.
Commissioner William Klaassen asked if the grant is still in place and is the project meeting what needs they require?
“We have to comply with the requirements of the grants, we’re a little behind in terms of meeting the grant requirements, there are two or three different organizations that are enjoined in this grant process so we’re trying to play a little catch up,” Reaves said. “This will allow us to at least get this out to bid and hopefully get some type of construction work for phase one this year.”
“We just don’t want to lose the grant, right?” Klaassen asked.
“We’re not deviating from the scope of the grant we’re just a little behind on time,” City Attorney Robert Davis replied.
Commissioner Jacob Bryson then made the motion to have the city manager seek bids for phase one of the marina project and it was seconded by Commissioner Sean O’Brien. The commission then unanimously approved the motion. Commissioner Rita G. Roehrig was absent from the March 6 meeting.
