East Parking Lot Update

A downtown project stalled for the past several months because of cost overruns and other unexpected delays will move forward with an infusion of new funding but a reduced plan from the original project. Consulting engineers last night told the Three Rivers City Commission that with the revised plan, the downtown East Parking Lot would elevate the former parking lot to a level with rear business entries, could be finished next year.

Originally pegged at a cost of just over $1.6 million, recent calculations had surpassed $1.8 million leaving the project some $168,000 short of funding. In an additional method to trim costs, parts of the plan have been eliminated that would have included decking at the rear of stores downtown as well as walkway bridges connecting the parking lot with the rear entry of stores. Also modified were plans for a one-way street.

The Three Rivers City Commission last night authorized the transfer of some $100,000 received recently for the closure of two city railroad crossings, and will dip into the voter approved street and sidewalk fund to make up any shortfalls. As a part of the East Parking lot plan, the city commission last night also voted to purchase the former General Telephone office and switchboard building at East Michigan Avenue and Water Street for $85,000. Funding for that purchase will he taken from the city’s fund balance.

Source: WLKM's News Site

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Laissez faire: leave the people alone, let them be, in their economic activities, in their religious affairs, in thought and culture, in the pursuit of fulfillment in their own lives.

City shrinks parking plan

A downtown project stalled because of cost overruns and other unexpected delays will now move forward on a smaller scale because of new funding.

Consulting engineers from Gove Associates of Kalamazoo told the Three Rivers City Commission recently that with the revised plan, the downtown East Parking Lot could be completed next year, raising the lot surface to the level of rear business entrances.

Originally pegged at a cost of just more than $1.6 million, the project was recently re-estimated at $1.8 million, leaving funding about $168,000 short. Read More - Kalamazoo Gazzette

I don't know about you but I am starting to get a lot less enthusiastic about this project.

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Laissez faire: leave the people alone, let them be, in their economic activities, in their religious affairs, in thought and culture, in the pursuit of fulfillment in their own lives.

While the cost overrun did technically cause the delay and it makes a sensational news headline, that really doesn’t accurately explain what happened.

The initial plan had substantial steel bridges and decking. This design was initiated about 3 months before China started buying up all the scrap available world wide and sent the price of steel soaring. They did the same to sheet lumber (plywood) this summer nearly tripling the price within 6 months.

That led to a fairly in-depth redesign without the decking. This redesign and the lengthy process to get the easements needed to do it are where the bulk of the delay originates. The project was then pared back to alleviate most of the additional cost. Essentially only half of the parking will be completed initially with more to follow when funding is available.

Go back the original discussions on this and I have not change my mind since. I stand by it and am looking forward to completion.

Daryl

Efforts to move forward a 5-year downtown Three Rivers project could be a part of a special session scheduled Friday evening by the Three Rivers City Commission. Plagued with cost overruns and missed calculations, the City Commission will review bids received for a scaled down version of what is called the East Parking Lot project scheduled for completion two years ago.

The commission will consider 3 bids from area contractors ranging from $1.4 million to $1.6 million to complete the beautification project designed to enhance downtown parking. The project was put into slow motion two years ago when cost estimates fell short of the mark and a new engineering firm was hired to complete the scaled back program. The $2 million project is being funded in part by city money, city sponsored bond proceeds, a $600,000 grant from the Michigan EDC, and another grant of $345,000 from the state recently received to jump start the stalled project.

When completed, the downtown project is expected to add some 400 parking places for downtown shoppers in an elevated parking lot with connection bridges to the back of stores facing east. Other components include water and sewer lines installation and landscaping and signage. The special session begins at 6:00.

Source: WLKM's News Site
Another East Parking Lot update!

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Laissez faire: leave the people alone, let them be, in their economic activities, in their religious affairs, in thought and culture, in the pursuit of fulfillment in their own lives.

Got Liberty? More at the Liberty1st Blog

I wonder if any of the contractors who worked at the farmers market for free are bidding on the projects? We're they the ones that got it?

"Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy" LLoyd Bentsen

Originally posted by pepa

I wonder if any of the contractors who worked at the farmers market for free are bidding on the projects? We're they the ones that got it?

Yes one of them did bid and no they did not get the contract. Without digging out the exact numbers they were somewhere around $100,000 to $150,000 to high.

Daryl

Also, for anyone who missed the meeting (it was not televised). The contractor will be starting very shortly with bridge and decking work followed by the wall being built and dirt moving into place. The contract dates are substantially (driving on the road, parking in the lot and access to main street) complete by December 31 and final completion (signs, painting, landscaping,etc...) by June.

Daryl

"Who discovered that you could get milk from cows, and what the HELL did he think he was doing at the time?", unknown

A Battle Creek firm has been awarded a $1,462,938 low bid to continue work on the East Parking Lot in downtown Three Rivers. Hoffman Brothers Inc. was one of three companies submitting bids for the project that could be completed by the end of November, city officials say. The new bid is some 8 percent over a projected cost of $1.35 million estimated earlier by city administrators and engineering planners, to complete the project. City officials said during a Friday special session of the city commission, that some items yet to be completed may be scratched from the final plans in an effort to reduce costs.

Originally estimated at near $1.6 million nearly four years ago, completed work plus the new bid have sent the cost to near $2.6 million. The $2.6 million figure does not reflect any possible cuts that may be made before the project is completed. The beautification project is designed to enhance downtown parking and shopping by elevating the existing groundwork to match the rear of store entryways. The plan features installation of rear decking behind stores, with foot bridges connecting the parking lot and decking for the convenience of shoppers.

Earlier planning had called for a sidewalk restaurant facility and a band shell along the banks of the Portage River to the east. A wall will be constructed 20 feet east of existing rear walls to allow for the elevation to Main Street level. A walk-through at 25 North Main Street will allow shoppers and others entry to the business district. Already, the store at the address has been demolished for the conversion from the existing arcade entryway. Businesses wishing to open the backs of their stores for customer access would now be able to do so. The project is being funded in party by city money, city-sponsored bond proceeds, a $500,000 grant from the Michigan EDC, and another grant of $345,000 from the state, recently received to jump-start the stalled project.

Source: WLKM's News Site

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Laissez faire: leave the people alone, let them be, in their economic activities, in their religious affairs, in thought and culture, in the pursuit of fulfillment in their own lives.

Got Liberty? More at the Liberty1st Blog

I walked through the parking lot and behind the buildings today and can see a lot of potential for the area. I would say the unfortunate thing about the project now is how bad the buildings look from behind. Are there any plans to address that?

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Laissez faire: leave the people alone, let them be, in their economic activities, in their religious affairs, in thought and culture, in the pursuit of fulfillment in their own lives.

The parking lot at this point is like putting lipstick on a pig. The buildings from the back side look like they belong in the ghetto. They are scary and uninviting. Only one business (the Tap Room) is marked with a sign so you have no idea if your walking into someone's apartment or a business.

However, the new sidewalks, railings, and cement look great and there does seem to be great potential. Clear signage, lighting, and assurance your not going to step on a homeless person when entering the building will help a great deal.

"I never consider a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend." - Thomas Jefferson

I noticed that this week they have been putting in trees and landscaping. It is really starting to look good. The back of the stores on that side of town have always looked run down and not too inviting. Maybe the DDA could take a look at a way to encourage the owners to improve them. Unfortunately it is not an area that is viewed by most people driving by. Just my thoughts.

With the previous "defunct" parking lot there was no reason to beautify the store back. With parking and entry now there the buisnesses have some incentive to make that side of their building more inviting. It will take time but it will come.

Daryl

What happened to the funds (grants) that were supposed to be available to aid storeowners in renovations and improving their buildings? It was either through the DDA or MSHDA that storeowners could renovate and improve their facilities and grant monies would either cover the costs partially or completely.

I shall continue to do what is right whether anybody likes it or not.----Harry S. Truman

If you bring to the table a complaint, you had better also bring a solution.----Sarah Embil

I do not know for sure but I believe the DDA still provides this but the store owner does have some amount of matching funds too. As the parking lot becomes more utilized the businesses will see the advantage to having an inviting rear entrance.

Daryl

The parking lot at this point is like putting lipstick on a pig. The buildings from the back side look like they belong in the ghetto. They are scary and uninviting. Only one business (the Tap Room) is marked with a sign so you have no idea if your walking into someone's apartment or a business.

Like I say you can only polish a turd so much, then you start to smear it.[:D]

"Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy" LLoyd Bentsen