Hobart sanitary board approves Ameresco demolition, advances bridge and sewer upgrades

The Hobart Sanitary District voted unanimously Feb. 24 to hire Ameresco to begin demolition and remediation work at the city’s wastewater treatment facility after asbestos was discovered at the site.

Tim Kingsland introduced “Jeff” from Ameresco and told the Board that asbestos had been identified on site and that the project design and upcoming bid package account for remediation, including soil cleanup. Larry Gutierrez moved to approve a professional services agreement with Ameresco to begin demolition and remediation; Joe Broadaway seconded the motion and the measure passed 5-0.

City Engineer Alex Metz told the board the Wisconsin Street Bridge plans have been revised and that demolition of an on-site bait shop will require a plan amendment and a soil embankment; he said the City of Hobart will cover that amendment cost. Metz said the overall project cost decreased slightly and “the goal is to advertise the project for bid by Wednesday, March 3,” with a four-week bidding period and a pre-bid meeting at the two-week mark.

The Board also approved an engineering Task Order with consulting firm BF&S to reline sewers in Merrillville Heights and Brookview to reduce inflow during rain events. The Task Order, intended to increase sanitary sewer capacity, was approved in the amount of $177,135 (motion by Larry Gutierrez, seconded by Jim Mandon; vote 5-0). The Board noted a reimbursement agreement will be established to recoup associated costs.

Attorney Jim Meyers told the Board the BF&S contract will be the first project under a broader data center sewer-system improvement initiative estimated at about $3 million. Meyers said he is preparing updated basement-backup and flooding notices and warned that a separate sewer-connection agreement will be required with the data center property owners (Amazon), because the developer previously committed to fund certain sewer improvements. Meyers advised that no further land disturbance should occur until that agreement is finalized.

Metz and Kingsland also briefed the Board on other stormwater and sanitary priorities including utility coordination at 5th & Center Street, Harbor Club design permitting (pending a railroad permit), potential IDEM permitting for construction work that reroutes flow for hazard mitigation, and consideration of a standing materials contract to speed emergency spot repairs at locations including Arizona Street, Frontage Road and Lillian Street.

The board’s approvals set the projects up to return for contract award and further action in March. The Wisconsin Street Bridge solicitation is scheduled to be advertised March 3; the Ameresco demolition and BF&S pipelining work will proceed to contracting and permitting steps before field work begins.