Commissioners award community center, golf course and road resurfacing contracts totaling tens of millions

Essex County commissioners awarded several large capital contracts at their Belleville meeting, authorizing projects that county officials said are largely grant-funded.

The board approved a low-bid contract to Savickas Enterprises to build a new community building at Monte Irvin Park in Orange. David Antonio of the Department of Public Works described the project as roughly 10,000 square feet and said Sabikis/Savickas submitted the lowest of seven bids; the construction schedule is about 10 months from a planned start in the next month. Commissioners confirmed the project is 100% grant-funded.

A separate award went to Kevin Downs/Downs Tree Service for extensive improvements to Wheatwick Park Golf Course, a package that includes tree removal and pruning, new sand bunkers, greens work, irrigation and drainage improvements, new asphalt cart paths and curbing, and other site work. The board recorded the contract as not to exceed $9,016,072 and noted that the firm has significant local hiring plans.

The county also awarded Smith Asante Asphalt a contract for the 2024 resurfacing program, not to exceed $7,464,711; the scope includes resurfacing specified county road corridors and was presented with an anticipated 240-day schedule, starting late 2024 or early 2025 pending permitting.

Commissioners asked about grant funding and vendor workforce participation; administration staff repeatedly confirmed these awards are funded by grants or specific departmental funds and emphasized local hiring commitments where applicable.