Lapeer commission authorizes bid release and bond work for $4.8 million downtown street and parking project

The Lapeer City Commission on Dec. 15 authorized ROE to release bid documents and approved engaging Municipal Financial Consultants, LLC and Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone PLC as municipal financial advisers and bond counsel for the Park Street, Pine Street and Parking Lot No. 9 reconstruction project.The commission's action followed a presentation from Paulo Murad of Roe, who described a project that would replace aging 4-inch water mains, repair sanitary sewer segments, reconstruct road pavement, add curb and gutter, reconfigure Park Street to two-way traffic, and rebuild Parking Lot No. 9 with new access, pedestrian connections and landscaping. Murad said the work would include about 2,300 feet of water main replacement and reconstruction of three blocks of the parking lot.The city’s finance staff estimated total project costs at about $4,800,000 and said the city would likely need to bond roughly $3,400,000 for the major local street portion. Water and sewer work would be paid from enterprise fund reserves, and the downtown parking portion would be partially financed with previously received proceeds plus a DDA contribution. A general-fund contribution was estimated at just under $100,000, subject to final bids.City Manager Jeremy Womack said the plan responds to long-running public concerns about road conditions and downtown parking and noted that bid opening was tentatively scheduled for Jan. 21; construction could begin in mid-March, with underground work through April and reconstruction from May to July.Commissioners raised questions about fire-flow capacity, hydrant placement and whether existing building connections would be reattached; Murad said the project would reconnect buildings along the work zone and provide hydrants at intersections. After discussion about timing and potential conflicts of interest, Commissioner Brady moved and Commissioner McCarthy supported the authorization to release bids and to engage the finance and bond advisers. The motion passed on a roll-call vote.