Macomb Township approves Fire Station 2 renovation, park geotechnical work and multiple purchases in unanimous votes

The Macomb Township Board of Trustees on April 23 unanimously approved a series of capital and administrative items, including awarding a $2,064,550 contract to Quadrate Construction for renovation and an addition to Fire Station 2.

The actions, taken during the regular board meeting at Macomb Township Hall, also included approval of geotechnical engineering services for Lucido River Park ($42,566.47), rezoning one parcel on Luchman Road from agricultural to single-family residential, adoption of a code amendment to align hunting rules with state law, purchase of new cardio equipment for the recreation center ($149,630.30 net after buyback), and scheduling two budget public hearings for May 13 and June 11, 2025. All motions recorded passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The Fire Station 2 renovation is part of the township’s capital improvement plan and is expected to affect fire operations and temporary housing logistics during construction. The geotechnical work is a prerequisite to design for the planned first phase of a boardwalk and pathway at Lucido River Park; the recreation-center equipment purchase replaces three-year-old units under the township’s routine replacement schedule.

The board awarded the Fire Station 2 contract after a competitive procurement and evaluation process that produced eight proposals. Chief (Fire Department) told the board construction is expected to start in early June with a December completion target: "Our estimate right now is probably June 1 time frame. Completion December." The contract covers a 720-square-foot addition and roughly 8,160 square feet of renovation and insulation work at multiple stations as described in the staff packet.

On Lucido River Park, township staff explained the geotechnical work is being performed proactively so the township can proceed quickly if a grant for the boardwalk and pathway is awarded. Mr. Van Tiflin (township staff) said the work will likely need to be done in July or August because the site is in a flood plain and is wet much of the year. The board authorized the $42,566.47 contract so design can proceed without a year-long delay.

The board also approved rezoning of 55540 Luchman Road (parcel ID listed in staff materials) from agricultural to R-1 single-family residential after the planning commission’s unanimous recommendation. Mr. Box (planning staff) told the board the rezoning matches the master plan and had been recommended by the planning commission.

On hunting, the board adopted an amendment to Code of Ordinances Section 4-41 to align township rules with current state law governing distances from occupied buildings and other state restrictions. Mr. Box said the township could adopt restrictions stricter than state law but chose to defer to state guidance in this amendment.

Parks and recreation staff presented the rec center equipment purchase: 31 units (treadmills, ellipticals, steppers and bikes) from three vendors with a total purchase cost of $175,198 and a buyback amount of $24,567.70, leaving a net cost of $149,630.30. Staff said most heavy-use equipment is replaced on a three-year cycle to maintain warranties and reliability.

The board scheduled the fiscal-year 2026 budget public hearings for May 13 and June 11, 2025, noting one hearing is required by law and the township customarily holds two.

Votes at a glance - Adopt amended resolution to establish a special assessment street lighting district, Wolverine Country Club Estates Site Condominium Phase 3 — Motion by Treasurer (name on record), second by Trustee Oliver; roll call vote: Treasurer Jollette: Yes; Trustee Oliver: Yes; Trustee Cusimano: Yes; Trustee Lucido: Yes; Trustee Papa: Yes; Clerk Posey: Yes; Supervisor Viviano: Yes. Outcome: Adopted. - Approve geotechnical engineering services for Lucido River Park — Motion by Trustee Oliver, second by Treasurer Jollette; outcome: Approved (unanimous). - Rezone 55540 Luchman Road (parcel ID noted in staff materials) from agricultural to single-family residential (R-1) — Motion by Trustee Papa, second by Clerk Posey; outcome: Approved (unanimous). - Adopt Code of Ordinances amendment, Section 4-41 (hunting permitted), to defer to state law governing hunting restrictions — Motion by Treasurer (name on record), second by Trustee Oliver; outcome: Adopted (unanimous). - Approve purchase of cardio equipment for the recreation center, net cost $149,630.30 — Motion by Trustee Oliver, second by Treasurer Gillette; outcome: Approved (unanimous). - Schedule 2025–26 Macomb Township budget public hearings for May 13 and June 11, 2025 — Motion by Clerk Posey, second by Treasurer (name on record); outcome: Approved (unanimous). - Award Fire Station 2 renovation contract to Quadrate Construction in the amount of $2,064,550 — Motion by Trustee Lucido, second by Trustee Oliver; voice vote: motion carries.

What the board directed or discussed: staff confirmed that temporary housing arrangements will be required for fire personnel while living areas are renovated; staff will meet with vendors to arrange temporary accommodations. For Lucido River Park, staff noted the geotechnical results will drive design and that delaying the work would likely push the project out by a year.

Budget and timing: the supervisor noted the total project budget for Fire Station 2 (including soft costs) is $2.5 million and that the awarded contract is expected to come in under that total once temporary rehousing and other costs are resolved. Construction start was estimated for June with a 154-calendar-day schedule cited in the contractor recommendation.

The meeting record shows each motion passed with unanimous support by board members present. No formal dissents, abstentions or recusals were recorded.