Board directs consultant to prepare Project Alpha options with and without DPW storage; expects decision within 60 days

The Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners asked consultant Cunningham Lymph (Jerry Tomtek) to deliver two planning options for Project Alpha — one that includes storage space for the Board of Public Works (BPW) and one that does not — and voted to proceed with both tracks and pick between them within about 60 days unless the BPW affirmatively commits to occupying storage space.

Jerry Tomtek said conceptual floor plans and a schematic budget estimate are in development and expected in the next month, and reported that phase‑2 environmental testing returned negative results for contaminants; he also noted title work disclosed a buried high‑pressure gas line on the property that requires DTE review before the site plan is finalized. “Everything showed negative for any potential contaminants in the soils,” Tomtek told commissioners.

Debate focused on whether the BPW, a separate fee‑funded board, should be included as a tenant and co‑payer. Some commissioners said the BPW had not previously asked to move its Welch Court operations and that committing the BPW would complicate project finance; others wanted a formal BPW answer. Commissioner Andrews moved to ask BPW for a commitment; after amendments and discussion the board voted to have the consultant price both options and proceed so the board can select an approach if BPW does not commit.

The motion passed by voice vote; staff said they will present option pricing, separate line‑item budgets for structures BPW might occupy and a recommendation timeline to the board.