Precast concrete has replaced stone in a retaining wall on West Ludington Street in the area of South Pine and Forest streets in Iron Mountain. (Jim Anderson/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — A final payment has been approved for replacement of a retaining wall on West Ludington Street, making the final contract price $424,730.

The century-old stone wall in the area of South Pine and Forest streets was replaced by Bacco Construction Co. of Iron Mountain with a precast concrete wall, much lower in height. The stone wall — more than twice the height of its replacement — was frequently patched through the years.

The work was completed last year, but some issues lingered, including crack repairs.

Ludington Street splits when approaching from the east, and the replacement wall maintains a one-lane width for both the upper and lower road levels. A sanitary sewer line that ran within the old wall was relocated beneath the upper street section.

The bid accepted from Bacco in February 2025 was $399,155, but a change order approved in September increased the price to $436,446, mainly due to unforeseen mechanical rock excavation. Another change order the city council approved Monday reduced the price by $11,716, due to lower material costs.

The project is funded with American Rescue Plan Act funds. The city’s total allocation under the 2021 ARP pandemic aid law was $765,000 and about $140,000 of that was spent on a conversion to LED street lights.

Remaining ARP funds have been set aside for playground equipment at City Park, according to City Manager Jordan Stanchina. The city contracted with Coleman Engineering Co. in August 2024 to research wall options on a time and materials basis not to exceed $28,000.

In other action, the city council:

— Agreed to pave an extra 140 feet of Grant Street east of Pewabic Street at an estimated cost of $12,676 as an addition to a $572,532 paving contract approved last fall with Payne and Dolan of Gladstone.

— Approved payment of Michigan Municipal League annual membership dues of $5,891, an increase of 6.2%.

— Authorized listing two items for sale on the Wisconsin Surplus online bidding platform: a 64-inch Bobcat broom and a 2013 GMC 3500 pickup truck.

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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.