By Shelby Stewart-Soldan
ssoldan@mihomepaper.com
Brandon Twp. — During the special meeting on June 11, the Brandon Township board of trustees approved a bid for the comfort station project at the Brandon Township Community Park.
“This project goes back to 2019,” said Parks and Recreation Director John Hug. “Initially the project was slated for a quarter million dollars, with a matching contribution of $120,400 from us and $120,400 from the DNR.”
The grant, which was originally a match from the Department of Natural Resources, will be used to build a concession stand, bathrooms and covered pavilion at the township park.
“Obviously with what the world’s gone through since COVID, just since the start of COVID I know construction costs have gone up 40%, and that doesn’t even count the time prior to COVID when we first did the bid,” said Hug. “The spending was approved, but the budget has not been approved. Because of the amount of what we’re asking, we just want to make sure we’re in compliance.”
The approval included a bid from Superior Contracting LLC, and costs include the reimbursable portion of the grant of $120,400, the remaining $440,800 from carry-forward, and $98,000 coming from the designated fund balance.
The project is anticipated to be completed this year.