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Commission awards state‑funded sewer contract for West Britain and Empire projects
Summary
The commission approved a contract award for sanitary‑sewer improvements on West Britain and Empire Avenue to the low bidder; the work is funded by a Michigan Clean Water State Revolving Fund grant (sewer grant pool ~ $19.5 million) and must be completed before the grant period expires in October.
The Benton Harbor City Commission voted March 16 to authorize the city manager to execute a contract for sanitary‑sewer improvements in the West Britain and West Empire neighborhoods.
City staff said the project was part of the city’s clean‑water project plan submitted to the State of Michigan and is funded through the state Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF). Project design and study work were completed in prior years, the project was bid this spring and the low bid was recommended. During the presentation, staff said the grant funding supporting these sewer projects totals about $19.5 million for the city’s SRF program and that the specific contract before the commission was roughly a $3 million contract (low bid of three received).
Mr. Markwatt (project representative) told commissioners the work covers segments of Empire Avenue (roughly 11th Street to Salem) and West Britain (approximately west of 8th Street toward Riverview Drive) and that construction could begin in late April with completion by October, when the grant period must be spent and closed out.
Commissioners asked questions about funding sources and timeline. City staff clarified that the project is sanitary sewer work only (separate from a larger $45 million water funding allocation the city received for water‑side improvements) and that the SRF award is reimbursement‑based; the city must spend eligible dollars and then seek reimbursement from the state grant.
The resolution to award the contract to the low bidder (identified in the agenda packet as LE Barber; the presenter also referenced the firm as "Ellie Barber" in remarks) passed on a recorded roll‑call vote.
Next steps: the city manager will execute the contract and coordinate preconstruction scheduling so work can begin in the late‑April window and meet the October grant deadline.
