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Bike-path retaining-wall problems stall Charlevoix County trail project
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Summary
Committee members were told five of six retaining walls on a county bike-path lack required setback; responsibility is disputed and the contractor Elmer's committed to pursuing fixes while bids for phases 4–5 show wide cost variation.
The Charlevoix County Parks Advisory Committee was told that five of six retaining walls on the county bike-path do not meet required setbacks, presenting a potential delay for the project's next phases. Committee members raised questions about responsibility, citing engineering and surveying work as possible causes, and discussed options for resolution.
The committee heard that the contractor, identified in the minutes as Elmer's, has committed to work to resolve the retaining-wall issues but did not provide a timeline for corrections. Staff also reported four proposals for bike-path phases 4 and 5, with amounts ranging from about $300,000 to $1,000,000; two bids were recorded at approximately $800,000. The committee discussed cost variability and potential impacts on the schedule and budget.
Kiersten Stark and other members emphasized the need for clarity on who bears responsibility — engineering consultants, surveyors or contractors — but the minutes do not record a definitive finding. The committee did not take a formal vote on allocating funds or assigning responsibility during the meeting.
The minutes also noted that snow piles on the bike trail must be removed by April 1, a maintenance item tied to trail usability and upcoming construction seasons. Committee members indicated continued oversight as the contractor addresses the setback and as staff evaluates bids for the next phases.
The committee plans further oversight of the bike-path work as the contractor proceeds; no formal remediation timetable was recorded in the February minutes.