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Park board approves demolition contract, program requests and a series of special purchases
Summary
At its April 15 meeting the Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board approved the Millennium Plaza fountain demolition bid and contract, approved the MCAS summer feeding program and multiple special-purchase emergency repairs, and voted to open Feder27s Alley parking to the public.
The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board approved a set of motions on April 15, adopting contracts, program requests and emergency purchases ahead of the summer season.
The board accepted the sole bid for the Millennium Plaza fountain demolition and voted to award the construction contract after staff said attorney Nerburgg had reviewed the agreement on April 9. Staff told the board the single bid was above the project27s original budget but added that additional ARPA funding would cover the cost so the work could be completed before Memorial Day.
The board also approved the Michigan City Area Schools (MCAS) summer feeding program, which will distribute free meals to children under 18 from June 2 through July 24 at selected parks this year, including Tall Timbers, Water Tower, Joe Hawkins and Cleveland (behind the Michigan City Police Station). A board member confirmed a MCAS employee could vote on the item because there was no financial conflict.
Several special-purchase requests passed. The board approved buying a 2026-model maintenance dump truck using capital funds and a $4,851 government discount to avoid long lead times; approved an emergency furnace repair at the zoo after an electrical issue threatened temperature-sensitive exhibits; and approved an emergency walk-in cooler repair to protect food inventory.
Other routine administrative votes carried: approval of prior meeting minutes, claims and payroll, minor budget transfers and zoo endowment invoices to replace a zebra fence. The board also approved a fee waiver and permit for a Walking Art 5K fundraiser in downtown Millennium Plaza.
In one notable parking policy action the board voted to open Feder27s Alley parking to the general public after public commenters objected to reintroducing a decades-old residents-only rule.
What happens next: contractors will proceed with the fountain demolition procurement and the park department will implement the approved purchases and summer operations schedule. The playground design for Feder27s Alley was approved but board members tabled the bid documents for that project pending further timing and budget work.
Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting): - Take Millennium Plaza fountain demolition bids off the table — outcome: approved. - Approve minutes (April 1, 2026) — outcome: approved. - Accept sole bid for Millennium Plaza fountain demolition (Port County Project Management Corporation) — outcome: approved. - Award construction contract for fountain demolition — outcome: approved. - Approve Feder27s Alley playground final design — outcome: approved; bid documents tabled — outcome: tabled. - Approve MCAS summer feeding program (June 224July 24, selected parks) — outcome: approved. - Approve Walking Art 5K fee waiver and event — outcome: approved. - Open Feder27s Alley parking to the general public — outcome: approved. - Approve special purchase request: maintenance dump truck — outcome: approved. - Approve special purchase request: zoo furnace repair (emergency) — outcome: approved. - Approve special purchase request: zoo walk-in cooler repair (emergency) — outcome: approved. - Approve claims docket, payroll and minor transfers as presented — outcome: approved.
The board did not identify precise vote tallies on the record for most motions; the minutes record motions, seconds and that motions carried. The meeting adjourned after routine business.
