Garland St. Reconstruction to See Progress, New Firm

A new company could be hired to take over a planned reconstruction of Garland Street in downtown Traverse City's Warehouse District if commissioners approve a contract with the firm at tonight's meeting.

A total reconstruction of the street - including a new alignment changing the east terminus from Grandview Parkway to Union Street between Traverse City Tourism and Fifth Third Bank - is scheduled to take place this year, with funding provided by TIF-97 and reimbursements from the TC Place Brownfield Plan.The city originally hired consulting firm Greenan and Associates to oversee the design, bidding and construction administration of the project in 2010. However, after delivering final plans to the city last October, the company went out of business.

Commissioners tonight will consider approving a contract with Fleis & Vandenbrink Engineering to take over and complete the project. The firm's bid of $84,523 was recommended by city staff over bids by Gourdie-Fraser Inc. ($108,713) and Gosling Czubak Engineering Sciences ($169,659).