Harbor Springs boardwalk project in progress, fundraising continues
HARBOR SPRINGS — As the summer season approaches, Harbor Springs is wrapping up construction on the first half of the boardwalk project.
City manager Victor Sinadinoski said the construction is expected to be completed by July 4.
“I think we’re on track to make that happen,” he said.
The construction so far is just for the western half of the boardwalk. When the city council reviews the budget for next year, they will begin planning for the construction of the eastern half. Sinadinoski said the council hopes to get the eastern side done within the next few years, though a timeline is not set yet.
“There has been substantial progress, wood is going up right now for the actual platform and the boardwalk,” Sinadinoski said.
The city set a fundraising goal of around $600,000. So far, around $460,000 has been collected for the project, Sinadinoski said.
Cupps Masonry’s bid was selected to complete the project with an estimated cost of $576,382. There were six bids for the project in total, all of which were evaluated and scored by Sinadinoski, the city clerk and treasurer, and Department of Public Works director. The selected bid scored 109 out of 120.
Cupps Masonry is partially owned by John Cupps, who is on the Harbor Springs City Council. He did not vote in the bid selection process.
“When council started fundraising and budgeted this, they anticipated that we may need to spend about $100,000 from the city budget to make this happen ... and that's where we're at about right now,” Sinadinoski said. "Ideally, though, we try to fundraise as much as we can, because a similar thing would probably have to happen with the eastern portion as well. So our goal is to collect as much money now.”
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Sinadinoski said closing the boardwalk was a tough decision because the boardwalk is such an integral part of the community, but seeing the community rally together and see the importance of the boardwalk helps the city have a good plan in place.
"The boardwalk has been a staple as a part of this community first for several decades, over a century," he said. "It's just an integral part of the community for both locals, year round people ... as well as visitors who want to enjoy views from the bluffs.
"Closing it was a tough decision because it was unsafe, but now, I think the community rallied together and because they understood the importance of the boardwalk," he added.
Fundraising efforts have not stopped, with the option for people to "Purchase a Step" still available for donations of $1,000 or more. The recognitions will be posted on plaques along the observation deck or stair landings, rather than on individual steps.
The city is still accepting donations, which can be donated via cash or check to the City of Harbor Springs, PO Box 678, 160 Zoll Street, Harbor Springs, MI 49740.
— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Harbor Springs boardwalk project in progress, fundraising continues
