New climbing structures coming to City Park
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IRON MOUNTAIN -- New playground structures carrying an installed cost of nearly $238,000 will soon be on their way to Iron Mountain City Park, replacing equipment that dates to the early 1990s.
The Iron Mountain City Council on Monday approved acquisition of two Penchura structures through the state's Sourcewell cooperative purchasing agency. The city has set aside $209,000 for the upgrade and Friends of City Park has committed to covering the balance.
"The equipment has a six-week lead time and would still be installed this year," City Manager Jordan Stanchina said.
The new structures are the Alpha Tower, a 20-foot-tall climbing deck with two slides, and Volo, offering numerous activities and climbs. The equipment was selected after a review by the council's Park and Recreation Committee.
The cost breakdown from Landscape Structures of Delano, Minn., is $168,950 for the equipment, including $9,910 for shipping, plus $68,985 for installation.
The city will remove two current structures, portions of which it may salvage and reinstall, Stanchina said. Replacement parts are no longer available for the units now 30-plus years old, he noted.
Wood chips to a depth of 12 inches will be retained in the play area. A path may be built next year for wheelchair access, Stanchina said.
The city's funding was made possible by American Rescue Plan Act funds. The city's total allocation under the 2021 pandemic aid law was $765,000. Other major projects funded through ARP included rehabilitation of a retaining wall on West Ludington Street and a conversion to LED street lights.
In other action Monday, the city council:
-- Approved using $156,318 in local street funds to pave Hughitt Street between Kimberly and Carpenter avenues; Prospect Avenue from West A to West B streets; and Kimberly Avenue between Hughitt and West A streets. The work will be done by Bacco Construction Co. in conjunction with an ongoing sewer and water infrastructure project. The approved paving is mainly for blocks in poor condition where no underground work is taking place, Stanchina explained.
-- Authorized an additional $4,500 for full-width paving at the intersection of West D and Hemlock streets. A half-width reconstruction had previously been approved to address poor drainage. It was later determined that paving the full width could be done by pulverizing the existing blacktop, rather than doing a full reconstruction. The total cost will now be $15,267.
-- Accepted the low bid of $9,480 from Form Right Concrete Services of Iron Mountain to replace 741 square feet of damaged cement driveway squares in front of the apparatus bays at the fire department building. Other sealed bids came from Moyer Excavating of Norway Township, $14,115; and Associated Constructors of Negaunee, $17,800. Mayor Dale Alessandrini, who's associated with Form Right, abstained. The bid award is contingent on stated insurance requirements.
-- Will seek bids to purchase a push-in sewer camera, either with a stationary head or a pan-and-tilt head. Public works staff currently relies on visual inspections and contracted camera services to diagnose problems and prioritize repairs. The budget includes $25,000 for a camera purchase.
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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.