Greer awards roughly $597,000 contract to widen Mrath Road amid questions about sidewalks and county coordination

Greer City Council voted June 23 to award Project 2027001 — a road‑widening project on Mrath Road — to Civil Pros Inc. after staff reported two bids and recommended the contractor. Engineering staff said the work will widen the roadway from Old Woodruff Road to Maple Drive, lengthening roughly 1,771 linear feet and increasing pavement width to 24 feet.

"We recommend approval to award a contract to Civil Pros Incorporated in the amount of $597,115.50 for this project," project presenter Mr. Grant told council, explaining the procurement history: a mandatory pre-bid meeting drew seven contractors but only two bids were submitted when bids opened May 28.

Staff presented a proposed cost allocation intended to reduce the city’s out‑of‑pocket expense: Ryder Junction — a developer that previously agreed to contribute $150,000 under an annexation agreement — will provide that $150,000; a newly proposed development outlined in the packet is expected to contribute $79,730; the remainder of the estimated total was presented as an approximate city share of $367,385.50. The project was budgeted in the city’s paving fund; staff told council the original in‑budget city estimate for the out‑of‑pocket portion was $425,000, and with developer contributions the city’s net cost will be lower than the budgeted figure.

Councilors pressed staff about safety features and longer-term continuity of the roadway. Several members asked whether sidewalks or traffic‑calming measures could be pre‑engineered into the project; staff said adding sidewalks would require additional right‑of‑way acquisition and would make the project significantly more expensive given the road’s historic, narrow alignment. Council also discussed whether Spartanburg County (which controls adjacent sections beyond Maple Drive) could participate; staff said the county had been contacted but is not currently planning a matching widening in that corridor as part of its capital program.

Council voted unanimously to award the contract. Staff indicated they had confirmed contractor references and would proceed with the award and project scheduling.

Why it matters: the project widens a narrow, 15–16‑foot segment that staff and council said has become more heavily used by nearby residential and new apartment traffic. The contract award moves the project toward construction; questions remain about pedestrian accommodations and multi‑jurisdictional coordination with Spartanburg County.