Skate Park Bid Will Allow a Few Extras

Laverdiere Construction was the low bidder for renovations to Macomb's Skate Park on North Dudley Street.

The base bid was just over $190,000. The park district budgeted $200,000; it will use some of the savings to pay for three enhancements.

Executive Director Ray Peterson said one feature will improve safety.

He said, “On the corners there are a couple of apparatus and these particular pieces you come up onto a flat surface. In order to make them safer we wanted to extend a dirt berm behind that.”

The other “extras” include color for the concrete surfaces and a sidewalk to connect the skate park with the parking area.

Peterson said one estimate for the work was about $250,000.

He said, ”We were looking at the possibility of having to pare down the site and eliminate a couple of the apparatus. This is great that it comes in under the amount we set on it. Because now we can do the whole package.”

Peterson said the concrete ramps should arrive in about six weeks. He is not sure when the project will be completed.
 
The district will also apply for a grant from a foundation set up by professional skateboarder Tony Hawk to pay part of the cost. The maximum grant is $25,000.

Trotter General Contractors was the only other bidder at about $244,000.

The district would like to eventually add bathrooms, vending machines and water fountains. It does not have the money to add those features this year.