City approves engineering study for upcoming street projects

City approves engineering study for upcoming street projects by Amanda Polaski Staff Writer If all goes as planned, residents of Rogers City can look forward to further street construction this summer after the Rogers City Council accepted a proposal from C2AE (formally Capital Consultants and Design Works A/E) to complete a $21,300 engineering study involving Lincoln Park, Cedar and Calcite Streets, as well as Larke Avenue. ?THE PROPOSED projects include paving services in the Lincoln Park subdivision and Cedar Street, and water main services involving Calcite Street and Larke Avenue,? said city manager Mark Slown. ?I would hope that construction could be finished by August.? However, before any construction can move forward, the engineering study must be complete. Engineers will assess the paving project in Lincoln Park that would include Lenore, Franklin, Riverview, and Marquette Streets. ?The streets are now 30-feet of gravel drive, and the project proposes to pave a 22-foot wide section with asphalt,? said Slown. ?There will be curb and gutter at?corners, as well as storm water drainage.? The Cedar Street project would include paving a 1,100-foot section of roadway between US-23 and Balsam Street. ?That is a very bad area right now?full of potholes,? said Slown. He said the section would be paved with thick asphalt, and that an underground water main would be installed during roadway construction for possible future use. An approximate 330-foot section of Larke Avenue west of US-23 would also be studied in order to extend water and sewer connections to areas where there is no current service. The lines would be built up to the property lines, and property owners would then be responsible for hook up. Calcite Street also involves a water main project. Currently, Slown said there is not proper service available to homes in that area. ?This project would make the loop connection for a modern water main service?to 13 individual property owners,? said Slown. ?It isn?t necessarily a re-paving project for the roadway. The service lines will be constructed to the property line of each home, and then it is up to the homeowner to hook up if they want to. It would have to be worked out case-by-case.? The cost breakdown for each project within the engineering study to be completed by C2AE is as follows: Lincoln Park, $3,200; Cedar Street, $11,800; Calcite Street, $3,200; and Larke Avenue, $1,600. The $21,300 cost also includes a $1,500 bidding fee. Once the engineering studies are complete, the projects will be put out for construction bids. Slown said there is a possibility that some project costs could be special assessed, and the proper procedures for that would have to be included in the entire process in order to get construction underway by summer. Total cost for the proposed construction would be between $250,000 and $300,000. Slown said there are funds available for the street projects, including $195,000 in a fund specifically designated to local street projects. IN OTHER city council news: ? City council granted Slown retroactive authorization to sign the MSHDA Fa?ade Grant application. The grant application outlines the need for fa?ade renovation to seven downtown businesses, including Domaci Gallery, Rogers City Theater, Grulke Hardware, A-P Super Service, Nautical City Enterprises, The Painted Lady, and Rogers City Home Furnishings. The city and Community Development Authority (CDA) would likely be asked to assist in providing some of the local match should the grant be approved. Huron National Bank and Independent Bank have committed to providing low-interest loans to participating businesses. ? The contract for Jay Greve and the fish cleaning station was accepted. The contract was prepared by city attorney Michael Vogler. Greve will receive $3,000 for his services. ? Council approved the request from the Rogers City Servicemen?s Club to conduct the annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 28 at 10 a.m. ? Council approved a resolution stating their strong disapproval in the potential closure of the Presque Isle County office of the Michigan Department of Human Services? located in Rogers City. The office is being considered for closure and relocation to Alpena.