Macomb committee to solicit bids for ADA wheelchair lift at cemetery office

The Macomb City Council Committee voted to place authorization to solicit bids for an ADA-accessible wheelchair lift at the cemetery office building, 1027 North Randolph Street, on the Jan. 5, 2026 agenda after public works staff described a low-cost installation option.

Alice Ortman, the city’s public works director, told the committee the city obtained a used ADA lift from St. Paul’s Parish and tested it on site. "We got it for free," Ortman said, adding that contractors would cut a window into a door, build a landing and install a space at the bottom for the lift. She estimated masonry and landing work at about $36,000, with additional electrical and concrete costs bringing the total to roughly $46,000, including a 15% contingency. "We had budgeted $75,000 to make the building ADA compliant this year," Ortman said.

The cost estimate is substantially lower than a previously discussed ramp option: a council member described a prior ramp estimate of about $150,000. Committee members asked whether any grant funding might cover part of the work; Ortman said she had found only a single grant related to stone repair and nothing suitable to cover the lift installation.

Because the installation will require masonry, electrical work and modifications to the building envelope, Ortman said the city must solicit competitive bids. The committee agreed to place authorization to solicit bids on the first meeting of the new year so formal contracting can proceed.

The item will return to the council for formal authorization and award decisions after the competitive bid process is complete.