Commission awards East Market demolition contract to fully documented bidder amid asbestos and shared-wall concerns

Staff reviewed two bids for demolition of 2813 East Market Street and recommended awarding the work to the fully documented higher bidder rather than the low bid because the lower submission lacked required financial and reference materials.

Staff told commissioners: "my recommendation is we go with Dorn Associates out of Bay City, Michigan for the higher the $159,700" and noted the higher bidder supplied financial statements, references and a full project history. Commissioners asked about environmental risk; staff said a phase 1 environmental review had been completed and that the demolition contractor would include an asbestos survey in the bid package and perform any required remediation if identified.

The commission discussed procurement safeguards and audit documentation. A commissioner asked staff to document what items were missing from the low bid to provide a clear record for the State Board of Accounts; staff agreed to produce a written memo noting the deficiencies.

The commission approved the award to Dorn/Doran Associates, authorizing demolition and remediation up to $159,700. Members also highlighted next steps: documenting bid noncompliance for audit purposes, coordinating a contractor asbestos survey and addressing a shared-wall agreement and utility coordination with adjacent property owners before demolition proceeds.

What remains: Staff will provide the written bid-evaluation memo, schedule the asbestos survey and coordinate with utilities and neighboring owners about the shared-wall conditions before work begins.