Kalamazoo approves series of water contracts, including consolidation of two pump stations and lead-service replacements

The Kalamazoo City Commission on Monday approved multiple contracts and budget amendments for drinking-water and related infrastructure projects, including work to consolidate Pump Stations 5 and 14, extend water mains to parts of Richland Township and continue lead service line replacements.

Public services director James Baker told commissioners the city was moving forward with a suite of linked projects and funding plans: "we've got about, about $94,000,000 of water infrastructure work that we're talking about here tonight," Baker said, and he outlined individual contracts and the construction schedule.

Baker said the package includes building a raw-water transmission line from Station 14 to Station 5 and constructing a new treatment plant that will serve flows from both stations, work to extend public water in PFAS-affected areas in Richland Township, 1,300 additional lead service line replacements in Edison, and a multifaceted reconstruction of Westnidge Avenue that also realigns Arcadia Creek. Baker described the treatment upgrades as adding iron removal and PFAS removal so the city can meet current and expected future regulations: "we meet Michigan safe drinking water act standards" but federal standards planned for 2029 will be lower, he said.

Commissioner Christian Bridal urged commissioners to consider the long-term consequences of inaction: "the cost of not doing anything in these types of scenarios is far worse than the action," Bridal said, citing aging infrastructure including a 110-year-old pump station and undersized sewers dating to the 1930s.

Most items were approved by unanimous roll calls; a few votes recorded recusals where noted by commissioners during roll call.

Key approved contracts and amounts (as presented to the commission): - Contract with USA Earthworks LLC for Drinking Water SRF Contract No. 3, Richland Township Water Main Extension Project: $5,672,667.50 (motion made by Commissioner Cooney, supported by Commissioner Hoffman; roll call: 7 yes, 0 no, no abstentions) - Contract with Peters Construction Company for DWSRF Contract No. 1, Pump Stations 5 and 14 and transmission mains: $9,887,702.45 (motion by Commissioner Wilson; support by Vice Mayor Hess; roll call: passed) - Agreement with CD Arena LLC for Arcadia Creek Phase 0, Westnidge Avenue (Kalamazoo Ave to Michigan Ave): $137,000,997.05 and a major streets budget amendment of $3,195,522.50 (motion made and supported as recorded; Commissioner Wilson stated a conflict of interest for this item and did not participate in that roll call; motion passed) - Contract with SWT Excavating Inc. for DWSRF Contract No. 4, non-copper service line replacements (lead service lines): $15,229,588.75 (motion and roll call: passed) - Contract with E & L Construction Group Inc. for DWSRF Contract No. 2, Pump Station 5 & 14 consolidation: $49,120,398.00 (motion and roll call: passed)

Baker gave timing and traffic-impact details. The Westnidge (Washington/Westnidge) closure was targeted to start around July 7 with full closure through the fall and partial reopening of a lane expected in December, with final wrap-up in the following summer. The pump-station consolidation and transmission work were expected to run from late 2025 into spring 2028, depending on EGLE approvals.

Commissioners and staff stressed the projects’ public-health rationale and long-term value. Bridal said the package was "proactive" and focused on resiliency and public-safety risks such as PFAS and lead.

The commission approved the items and authorized the city manager to sign related documents where applicable. Construction and associated engineering contracts already in the packet represent work that has moved from planning into procurement or active construction activity.

Next steps noted by staff included final EGLE approvals, contractor mobilization and public notices about traffic detours for the Westnidge closure. Baker urged residents to follow construction updates and warned of temporary detours while the city completes the integrated work.

Ending The approved contracts set in motion a multiyear program of water, sewer and street work city officials called necessary to modernize aging infrastructure and address contamination and public-health concerns. Public notices and construction phasing details will follow as each contractor schedules work and EGLE completes permitting.