Gogebic County Fairground projects lining up

By P.J. GLISSON

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Bessemer — Members of the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners’ Economic Development and Capital Improvements Committee learned last week that the county fairgrounds are positioned for progress on various counts.

They also voted to authorize the county’s insurer — the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority — to negotiate with U.P. Engineers and Architects in Houghton on costs relating to continuing plans to replace the 4-H horse barn and the hay barn.

“MMRMA said today they would like to negotiate for us with U.P. Engineering so we do not pay more than the insurance will reimburse,” said County Clerk Ramona Collins at the March 6 meeting.

In a Feb. 23 letter to County Administrator Juliane Giackino, UPEA Project Manager Steve Wright outlined the company’s plans for replacement of the 2 buildings that were destroyed by fire on Sept. 26, 2023.

“It is proposed to replace both buildings to meet their original use, layout, exterior dimensions and construction types (wood stick and timber framed),” said Wright. “The 4-H barn is approximately 4,000 square feet and the hay barn is approximately 2,100 square feet.”

Wright added that UPEA intends to complete a building code review of both buildings. The company also expects to design all building components for the 4-H building and to provide “architectural and structural design” for the hay barn.

Moreover, he added that UPEA will estimate costs, provide bidding specifications, review bids, answer contractor questions during construction, and provide ongoing inspections, along with other responsibilities.

Regarding the 4-H barn, Wright said, “The original building was designed before the era of modern building code requirements for assembly use. The replacement structure, however, will be required to meet code requirements for assembly use.”

Committee member Thomas Laabs reiterated his previously stated point that the hay barn should not be placed in the same location, so as to reduce the possibility of future fires spreading from one structure to another.

Collins also said that MMRMA said the county will need a budget and a plan in place in order to get building permits.

Committee members also discussed the need for fencing around the fairground racetrack to fill the gap left when the grandstands burned down during the process of demolition.

Collins said that because the fire was not directly responsible for the fencing gap, MMRMA will not cover that expense, so the county will need to bid out that project.

“I think that should be the biggest thing we look at now,” said Committee Chairman James Byrns of the fencing.

The county will be responsible for replacing the grandstands, as they were deemed unsafe and in need of replacement before the fire occurred. Laabs suggested that the county should install a concrete slab upon which rented bleachers then could be placed for the next expected major event at the fairgrounds — the 2025 Snowmobile Olympus, which uses the racetrack for its competition.

Committee Members James Lorenson and Daniel Siirila each said they will seek related estimates.

Lorenson said that he will also look into the cost of racetrack fencing.

Siirila said that fencing also is needed next to the fairground ticket booth. “Right now, the fairgrounds are not secure,” he said, adding that he will seek estimates on addressing that location.

Regarding repairs needed on the two race horse barns, Lorenson reminded that UPEA has identified the needed work, which will be covered by a $250,000 grant from the State Land Bank Authority.

Committee members also voted to approve a proposal by David Semenak, water and electric supervisor for the city of Wakefield, to convert the fairground electrical system from overhead to underground, and to ask UPEA to develop a related plan for the county to approve.

Finally, committee members also voted to authorize the county’s application for a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Program, which — if received — could be used to cover the majority of expense related to upgrading fairground roads.

Lorenson said the county would need to pay the expense up front, after which the grant may cover roughly $70,000 to $75,000 of the estimated total roadway expense of $108,000.

He said that one advantage of the work would be that it would facilitate access for people with disabilities to most fairground buildings.

In other news, committee members also:

—Voted to increase the rent for the Western Upper Peninsula Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, which now uses office space within the county fairgrounds’ multipurpose building. The motion specified an increase from $425 to $500 per month, along with the establishment of a related lease.

—Voted to schedule a meeting with Gogebic Community College in relation to its desire to use the fairground parking lot as a training ground for the college’s Commercial Driver’s License program. “Let’s leave everything on the table,” said Lorenson while suggesting that the college and county then can decide what works best for both parties. Lorenson abstained from voting on that motion due to his prior employment with the college.

—Considered a request by Ashley Dennis, the county’s 4-H program coordinator, to reserve the fairgrounds from Aug. 5-12 in order for 4-H members to prepare for this year’s market livestock auction. However, Lorenson said no was action necessary since no fair will occur on the fairgrounds this year.

Unless otherwise indicated, all votes were unanimous with all members present. The committee’s actions will be referred to the county Board of Commissioners for final consideration.