Racine council approves professional services agreement to demolish McMinn parking structure

The Common Council on Feb. 3 approved a professional services agreement with Kacing and Associates for engineering and demolition services related to the McMinn parking structure at 127th Street.

The item returned to the council after the Public Works & Services Committee recommended denial. Chair Alder Mack explained that the committee's recommendation was to deny the contract but he planned to vote against that recommendation so the council could take a separate, affirmative vote to approve the agreement tonight. Mack said the ramp has reached the end of its useful life and described the professional services contract as the necessary step to prepare design and bid documents.

Councilmembers asked about timeline and hazardous‑materials work. Alder Harmon, who had abstained at committee, said his outstanding questions were answered and he would vote against the denial so the project could proceed. Alder Weidner asked the assistant commissioner of public works about the schedule; staff said design and bidding should allow work to finish before July 4 if the process proceeds promptly, but that asbestos evaluation may be the longest single step.

The council first voted on the committee's recommendation to deny the contract; that motion failed (13 noes, 1 aye). Alderman Mack then moved to enter into the professional services agreement; the motion carried 13–1. Council members said the work will proceed to design and bidding and return to Public Works for contract awards.