Anderson City Council voted to award the Glen Street headwall repair contract to Trace Clearing and Grading for $185,400 to replace storm-damaged drainage infrastructure near 1300 Glen Street.

City engineering staff said Hurricane Helene tore down large trees that damaged a headwall between the Old Mill and King Street, undermining the drainage system under the road and threatening nearby utilities and the sidewalk. Staff made temporary repairs to reopen the road and later prepared bid specifications. Bridgewater Engineering prepared the bid package and the low responsive bid, Trace Clearing and Grading of Six Mile, submitted $185,400.

Staff said FEMA public assistance representatives inspected the site earlier in the year and initially estimated reimbursable damages at about $33,000, but noted FEMA lacks contractor-pricing experience and asked the city to bid the work for a revised assessment. City staff explained the typical FEMA reimbursement rate for this infrastructure work would leave the city responsible for 25% and FEMA covering roughly 75% of eligible costs; staff said they had contacted references for the low bidder and received positive feedback from the City of Clemson and the Town of Central for similar post-storm repairs.

Council members asked about aesthetics and the headwall dimensions; staff said the replacement will be in-kind and not visible from the roadway, and described the wall as roughly 50 feet long and 13 feet high. Council approved the low bid unanimously and staff said they will continue to coordinate reimbursement with FEMA and keep council updated on reimbursements and deposits as funds are received.