Bessemer City Council hears sewer, water project update

By KIM E. STROM

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Bessemer - The Bessemer City Council heard a report Monday on the upcoming major sewer and water project for 2021. The $21.4 million project will be overseen by the architectural and engineering firm C2AE and will begin May of 2021.

Darren Pionk, project manager for C2AE, said they are hoping to do the work in small segments and are trying to time the work to accommodate another project on U.S. 2.

According to Pionk, they are a bit behind schedule but are making accommodations to correct that, he said.

Pionk said the bidding for the sewer project will likely begin November 2020 or December 2020.

"I am so happy with the way the upcoming project is going," said councilor Linda Nelson. "It's exciting to see the camaraderie and people working together. It's thrilling to see."

Mayor Adam Zak said he would like to facilitate it to allow businesses to maintain operations during the work if possible.

According to a progress report, C2AE is moving along with the preliminary design phase of the project and has hired another engineer to assist. "Providing another design resource to this project will correct the scheduling issue," said Pionk.

Pionk also said since the size of the project will attract big companies, that they are likely to hire local contractors to do some of the work.

In other business, the board:

-Approved the appointment of Matt Hellman to the planning commission.

-Approved the reassignment of addresses on Massie Avenue/Industrial Access Road. A total of 13 buildings will be affected. This is an effort to keep on a grid schedule with odd numbers on one side and even numbers on the other, said city manager Charly Loper. Emergency management for the county has recommended the changes in order to "maintain consistency and make it easier for firefighters to find houses," Loper said. "Letters will be sent to building owners giving them a month to notify utilities and update the addresses on their buildings."

-Received a grant in the amount of $28,000 from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to analyze wetlands and buildable areas in the industrial park in an effort to sell vacant lots in the city, according to Loper.

-Approved the request from Bessemer Area Schools Superintendent Dave Wineburner to close South Case Street from the corner of East Sellar Street to the corner of East Colby Street from Sept. 25 until Oct. 23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily for roof replacement work at the Washington Elementary School.

-Discussed segments of sidewalks needing to be replaced. Loper said the city has a program to help with half the cost of materials for residents wishing to replace a larger portion of their sidewalks than the segment the city replaces.