La Porte approves inspection and public-works contracts, emergency demolition award and utility solicitations
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Summary
The board approved a $194,600 inspection contract for Tipton Street overpass utilities, authorized solicitations for sewer and water extension to the National Guard Armory, awarded an emergency demolition contract for an unsafe property to the low bidder, and approved a pay request for Soldier Memorial Park water infrastructure.
At its March 3 meeting the La Porte Board of Public Works and Safety approved several infrastructure and procurement items: an inspection contract for utilities relocation at the Tipton Street overpass, solicitations for sewer and water extension to the National Guard Armory, award of an emergency demolition contract for a hazardous building, and a pay request for Soldier Memorial Park well and raw-water main work.
Aegis Construction inspection contract: Tim Warner (Water) presented a contract with Aegis Construction Services totaling $194,600 for inspection of the Tipton Street overpass utilities relocation, allocated 74% to water and 26% to sewer. Warner said inspection is critical because large mains (including 18-inch transmission mains) and raw-water feed lines must be in place before bridge construction. The board approved the contract and noted the work schedule extends toward a September completion.
Sewer/water extension for National Guard Armory: The board authorized solicitation of bids to extend sewer and water to 2391 State Road 2 (National Guard Armory). Staff said the Guard will pay the water and wastewater portion for their building, and the project’s SRF funding covers construction; staff set a May 27 bid opening and said a recommendation could come to the board on April 7.
Emergency demolition award: After approving an emergency demolition order for 508 West 11th Street, staff solicited quotes from three contractors (Green Demo $27,000; Pavey Excavating $19,735; D and M Excavating $18,919) and recommended the low bidder D and M; the board awarded the work and discussed NIPSCO disconnect timing and funding sources (unsafe-building fund and code-enforcement demolition budget). Staff said they would pursue cost recovery from the property owner or mortgage holder.
Soldier Memorial Park pay request: The board took an item off the table and approved pay request No. 1 for the Soldier Memorial Park wells and raw water main contract 2 in the amount of $122,823, which advances the city’s multi-year work to add redundancy to its raw-water supply.
Why it matters: The combined approvals cover prioritized public-works projects—water-supply redundancy, sanitary and storm infrastructure, and removal of unsafe structures—and commit budgeted funds and solicitations to keep multi-project construction seasons moving.
Quotes: "That is redundancy for the plants, brings in a fresh water supply... that way each plant could carry the load of the city in a day," Tim Warner said of the Soldier Memorial Park wells and water-main work. On demolition bids, staff recommended awarding to the lowest responsive bidder, D and M Excavating, because the site needs prompt removal.
