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Community Development committee approves mural partnership, amphitheater utility work and major riverfront and street contracts
Summary
The committee approved an MDOT mural collaboration on the Belknap Hill retaining wall, a construction agreement supporting the Acroshare Amphitheater, Canal Park contract award, and multiple street and sidewalk projects; commissioners pressed city staff on MLBE participation targets.
The Community Development Committee met Feb. 11 and authorized several contracts and intergovernmental agreements that will shape the Market Street corridor, riverfront access and neighborhood street work.
The committee approved a coordination agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and a partnership with Neighbors of Belknap Lookout (Noble) to restore and replace the mural on the Belknap Hill MDOT retaining wall. Staff and neighborhood representatives said the agreement formalizes maintenance responsibilities and lays out a public selection process for a new mural; no city funding is required at this stage.
Members approved a construction agreement to fund water, street‑lighting, and street improvements to support the Acroshare Amphitheater and related parking ramp. The committee also awarded a $7,558,843 contract to Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. (total not to exceed $9,000,980) for Canal Park improvements, a $4,995,761 contract to Wyoming Excavators for Boston Street reconstruction (with funding from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund and principal forgiveness), and awarded sidewalk and surface‑repair contracts including EPIC Excavating for 2025 systematic sidewalk repairs.
Parks director David Marquardt described Canal Park as a transformational investment — multiuse trail, flood protection, river access, a pavilion and a new play space — funded by the park bond, Monroe North TIFA, a placemaking grant and parks capital funds. Commissioners pressed staff about Micro Local Business Enterprise (MLBE) participation; staff said outreach to MLBE firms had produced mixed results because of contractors’ capacity and that overall MLBE participation across city projects averages roughly 15%. Committee members asked staff to continue improving outreach and to re-examine solicitation approaches.
The committee also approved MDOT rotor‑mill resurfacing of Cherry Street with a local share of $661,970, and authorized engineering and project‑related actions for other corridor work.
Votes at a glance - MDOT mural agreement / Noble collaboration (approved) - Construction agreement for Acroshare Amphitheater site utilities and street improvements (approved) - Canal Park contract award to Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., $7,558,843 (award approved) - Boston Street reconstruction contract to Wyoming Excavators, $4,995,761 (award approved) - Systematic sidewalk repairs 2025 contract to EPIC Excavating, $1,292,650 (award approved) - Cherry Street MDOT resurfacing local share authorized $661,970 (approved) - Scheduled public hearings for obsolete property rehabilitation / NEZ for 1032 Martin Luther King Jr. SE (approved scheduling)
Ending: Staff promised improved MLBE outreach and additional briefings on inclusion plan targets; major construction is slated to begin in spring 2025 with some projects spanning to 2026.
