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Dearborn Heights awards Warren Valley parking-lot resurfacing to Asphalt Specialist LLC after heated debate
Summary
The council voted 6-1 to award the Warren Valley parking lot resurfacing contract to Asphalt Specialist LLC, approving base work plus two alternates and authorizing payment from a specified city account. Debate focused on cost, drainage and whether the city should subsidize a private concessionaire’s site.
Dearborn Heights City Council members voted 6-1 on Aug. 26 to award the Warren Valley Golf Course parking-lot resurfacing contract to Asphalt Specialist LLC, approving the base bid plus alternates 1 and 2 to address driveway thickness and curb/drain repairs. Councilman Hassan Ahmad moved the award; Councilwoman Nancy Breyer seconded.
The approved package — the council discussed a contract value in the $539,601 range during the meeting — authorizes the mayor, controller and clerk to sign and directs payment from account 101753932000 with an amendment from general funds to cover the city’s share. Interim City Engineer Ali Deeb told the council the work will be phased around school schedules and crews will mill and overlay the pavement; “we will mill it 2 inches,” he said when asked how the work will be done.
Why it matters: the parking lot is part of a city-owned golf course and banquet facility that has been the subject of debate about public investment in a revenue-generating site. Supporters said the city has contractual obligations to make the site usable and warned that delay could lead to greater expense or legal claims from the concessionaire; opponents said the city is stretched for funds and should prioritize neighborhood streets and trees.
During debate, opponents argued for a smaller scope, patching and phased work rather than the full resurfacing. Councilman Tom Wenzel was the lone vote against the award and said he could not support the level of investment; the motion still carried 6-1. Other council members argued the work is necessary to preserve the asset and to avoid litigation or lost revenue if the venue remains unusable.
The council also discussed drainage and flooding in the lot. Deeb said crews will core and patch deeper damage before overlaying, and that the site drains reasonably well but still has low spots that need repair. Jason Issa, the concessionaire representative, urged timely action and said he supported moving ahead.
Outcome and next steps: With the award approved, Deeb said he will coordinate scheduling with the contractor and school officials so construction can proceed in phases. The council instructed staff to execute the contract and begin work as soon as scheduling and permitting allow.
Votes at a glance: the motion to award to Asphalt Specialist LLC, base plus alternates 1 and 2, passed 6-1; Wenzel voted no. The mayor was not present.
