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Commission extends Blue Light redevelopment deadlines; approves downtown parking and tank-rehab contracts
Summary
The Battle Creek City Commission adopted Ordinance O1-2025 extending construction and occupancy deadlines for the Blue Light redevelopment at the former Kmart site and approved two contract-related resolutions for downtown parking-structure repairs and water-tank rehabilitation.
The Battle Creek City Commission on a unanimous voice vote adopted Ordinance O1-2025 to extend construction and certificate-of-occupancy deadlines for the Blue Light redevelopment at the former Kmart site and approved two separate resolutions authorizing construction-related contracts and change orders.
Ordinance O1-2025 extends the project's construction start date from April 1, 2025, to April 1, 2026, and moves the required certificate-of-occupancy deadline from Dec. 31, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2027. The ordinance reiterates that the development may include up to 96 residential units, with at least 48 reserved for the low income housing tax credit program and the balance reserved for workforce housing.
Resolution 85 authorizes a change order to Contract 2025-030B with Ram Construction Services of Michigan Inc. to add painting of the Hamlin Tower stairwells in a not-to-exceed amount of $121,749, with funding provided by the city’s Downtown Development Authority. Resolution 86 accepts the lowest responsive, responsible bid from L & T Painting Company Inc. for the Bridal East and Emmett Township tank rehabilitation project in a not-to-exceed amount of $186,680 and authorizes the city manager or designee to approve change orders up to 10% in the aggregate for city‑initiated, preapproved changes for unforeseen field conditions.
Mayor Mark Behnke moved adoption of Ordinance O1-2025; a support was recorded and the clerk called the vote. Commissioners verbally recorded at least two affirmative responses during the roll call on the ordinance; the commission declared adoption approved. Resolutions 85 and 86 were moved, supported and approved with no recorded roll-call tallies in the meeting minutes.
Why it matters: the ordinance locks in the mix of 96 units for the Blue Light project and gives the developer an additional year to begin construction and another year for occupancy. The two resolutions authorize immediate repairs and rehabilitation work that will proceed under contract, with one funded by the Downtown Development Authority and the other subject to contract change-order limits.
Votes at a glance: - Ordinance O1-2025 (Blue Light Redevelopment deadline extension): Moved to adopt; recorded as approved. Text in meeting packet: extends construction deadline to 04/01/2026 and occupancy to 12/31/2027; preserves requirement that at least 48 of 96 units participate in the low income housing tax credit program. - Resolution 85 (Hamlin Tower stairwell painting change order): Moved and approved; not-to-exceed $121,749; funded by Downtown Development Authority. - Resolution 86 (Bridal East and Emmett Township tank rehabilitation): Moved and approved; not-to-exceed $186,680; bidder: L & T Painting Company Inc.; manager authorized to approve up to 10% aggregate change orders for preapproved unforeseen field conditions.
The commission took no additional formal action on other agenda items and moved to approve the consent agenda before adjourning.
