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Redevelopment commission approves engineering proposal for Ameriplex Drive Phase 2, not to exceed $46,000
Summary
The commission approved Haas (Haason) and Associates' proposal to finish design and provide bidding and inspection services for about 400–500 feet of Ameriplex Drive at a lump sum not to exceed $46,000, contingent on attorney review.
The Michigan City Redevelopment Commission voted Sept. 8 to approve a civil engineering services proposal to complete and construct the remaining phase of Ameriplex Drive, a short industrial connector behind the Haskell Building, with a lump-sum contract not to exceed $46,000.
City staff told the commission the commission had committed to finish roughly 400 to 500 feet of road when a second building on the site was developed; the original road construction, completed years ago, left a portion unfinished. Haas Associates was the original designer and submitted a proposal to update the plans, prepare public bidding documents, administer the public bid and provide construction observation and inspection services.
Skyler, city staff, summarized the scope and said Haas would "dust off the old document, make sure that it is still good to do a bidding package for us, take us through the contract administration" and provide inspection to avoid overstraining the city engineer. City staff estimated the work would be publicly bid and that the project timeline is aggressive: drafting and closeout work beginning Sept. 8 and project closeout by Dec. 8. One commissioner asked that final approval be contingent on legal review; city counsel noted a few minor technical comments remain and the contingency approach mirrors past practice.
The commission moved, seconded and voted in favor of accepting the proposal with the contingency that counsel review and approve final contract language. The motion recorded no nays. Commissioners noted the project supports an end user for the second building and acknowledged that costs likely are higher now than years ago when the original agreement was made.
The contract approval authorizes Haas Associates to update design documents, produce bid-ready plans and provide construction-administration and inspection services. Staff said the engineering firm will report to the city engineer during construction observation. Legal review was explicitly added as a condition before final execution of the agreement.
Next steps are for counsel to finalize contract language and for staff to issue a public bid package. Construction will proceed after a public bidding process and award. The commission approved the lump-sum proposal with the requested contingency.
