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Commission approves $1.02 million contract for Marquette Cultural Center and Trailhead after value engineering
Summary
The commission awarded a $1,024,041 construction contract to Primo Construction for the Marquette Cultural Center and Trailhead project after bids exceeded grant-funded budget and staff, the architect and a contractor reduced scope. Grants will cover most costs; the city will cover a roughly $136,250 shortfall while staff pursue partner funding.
The Marquette City Commission on May 12 voted 6-0 to award a $1,024,041 construction contract to Primo Construction for the Marquette Cultural Center and Trailhead project.
City staff told commissioners two grants — a Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) SPARK grant for $458,800 and a Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) RAP 2 program award of $583,750 — total $1,042,550 toward the project. Staff said those grants will reimburse all but about $136,250 of the total project costs, and staff are working with community partners and the MEDC RAP program to cover the remaining amount.
The commission was briefed on project history: Locust Architecture of Minneapolis was awarded design services in June 2024 for $128,570 and that contract was later revised to $154,759. When construction bids were opened this spring, bids were substantially over budget: Cross Construction bid $1,880,800 and Primo Construction bid $1,801,571.64. Staff and Primo worked with the architect to value-engineer the project and reduced construction costs to $1,024,041; staff reported total project cost of $1,178,800 after design and other expenses.
Scope includes interior renovation to house the arts and culture division, public restrooms for park hours, ADA access to Father Marquette pathway and building, a trail spur connecting to the city multiuse pathway, a public drinking fountain and signage, with landscaping and paving reduced through value engineering.
Commission discussion focused on the large initial shortfall, the risk of deferring work on a city-owned building, how capital costs and future major repairs would be handled, and whether the grant funding could be jeopardized if the project were rejected. Community Services Director John Swanson explained the grant timing and design-to-bid timeline issues: grants are often secured before final construction estimates are available and market conditions and design details can raise bids; he credited contractor and architect collaboration for cost reductions and noted the project will eliminate an existing $30,000 annual rental expense by moving staff currently housed off-site into the renovated space.
Commissioners expressed concern about long-term capital needs for the building but supported proceeding. Commissioner Davis moved to award the contract and authorize signatures; the motion passed 6-0.
Next steps: staff will finalize the contract with Primo Construction and continue coordination with grant partners and local stakeholders to address the remaining funding need and to oversee construction and reporting requirements to grantors.
