IRON MOUNTAIN — Bids will be sought again for construction of Pewabic Hill mountain bike trails as Iron Mountain City Council hopes to draw an affordable proposal from a trail specialist.

The city opened bids Jan. 2 but all of the offers came from general contractors, including a low bid of $262,175 from FA industrial Services Inc. of Iron River. That bid was nearly within budget, but the city council on Monday decided to reject all bids on the advice of Dickinson Trail Network, which has committed $64,000 in matching funds to the grant-aided project.

DTN President Chad Susott has insisted an experienced trail builder is needed to attract more riders and boost tourism.

A Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant of $183,200 will help build 6 miles of public trails on city property east of Park Avenue at East B Street. The city has promised a limited amount of in-kind work, bringing total project funding to $262,200.

Mayor Dale Alessandrini said he’s willing to rebid, but warned it will be up to DTN to raise additional funds if the new bids come in much higher than what’s proposed.

City Manager Jordan Stanchina said a new bid package may be ready for council approval later this month or in early March. Discussions have been held with DNR grant coordinator Merrie Carlock, who has said a completion date in 2025 would not be unreasonable, he added.

According to Susott, trail specialists avoided the first round of bidding in part because of a strict timeline for completion.

Stanchina said it’s hoped that the new specifications, which will include required bike trail experience, will draw satisfactory offers.

“DTN feels confident that there’s a number of them out there,” he said of chances of getting bids from trail specialists.