IM to evaluate sewer extension along South Stephenson Avenue
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IRON MOUNTAIN -- Commercial development on the south end of Stephenson Avenue is hindered by a lack of sewer infrastructure, so Iron Mountain officials will seek an engineering study to get a better understanding of what's needed.
Carlos Cantina restaurant at 2031 S. Stephenson Ave. is the last business that could utilize a gravity sewer connection into the existing sewer system, according to City Manager Jordan Stanchina.
"We have a lot of land left that, as far as development goes, we pretty much can't do anything else," Stanchina told the city council Monday.
The study will evaluate the feasibility of extending sanitary sewer farther to the east, where there is a significant amount of undeveloped land.
The city council accepted Stanchina's recommendation to distribute a request for proposals to identify possible service areas, preliminary routing options, topographic and environmental constraints, potential connection points to the existing system, and the need for infrastructure such as gravity mains, force mains, lift stations and related equipment.
Council member David Farragh asked if the study might also include a traffic component, though Stanchina said this effort is "very step one" and limited to sewer needs only.
The purpose is to gain a preliminary construction cost estimate to help determine whether a sewer extension is practical and how it might be financed, he said.
"Undertaking this study before committing to a construction project will help the city make informed decisions, avoid piecemeal development, and ensure that any future infrastructure investment is appropriately sized for anticipated demand," Stanchina said in a memo to the council. "It also creates a planning document that can support discussion with property owners, developers, regulatory agencies, and funding partners."
Anticipating the need for such a study, the council had budgeted for the engineering work earlier this year.
In other action Monday, the city council:
-- Approved its $5,000 annual contribution to the Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance. In discussing the DAEDA's activities, Executive Director Mindy Meyers noted the Alliance has four active task force groups: Government Relations and Advocacy; Infrastructure and Housing; Talent and Education; and Small Business Retention and Growth. She encouraged participation in the Alliance's housing needs survey at https://www.daeda.org/post/dickinson-county-housing-needs-assessment.
-- Extended the end date of the city's contract with Ultra Construction Services of Marquette to July 31, 2027. Ultra in 2024 was awarded a contract to replace about 375 water service lines, funded by a $2.24 million grant and a $2.33 million loan at 2% interest through Michigan’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The extension will ensure all of the project dollars are used to replace as many water service lines containing lead as possible, Stanchina said. He added Ultra's work will likely be wrapped up before the new deadline. Along with other projects, about 620 service lines have been replaced since 2024. Initially, the city had estimated up to 1,800 service lines would need replacement, but that number is now expected to be lower. Five Star Energy Services of Waukesha, Wis., is the contractor for the next of three multi-million dollar efforts undertaken. Its work -- scheduled to run through 2028 -- may be the final piece in meeting a state mandate to replace all lines that contain lead.
-- Received an update from Stanchina on work being done by Bacco Construction Co. of Iron Mountain throughout the city. Bacco's $15.4 million contract includes full replacement of water and sewer utilities for all of West A, East C and a substantial portion of West Hughitt streets. The project includes 2.5 miles of paving. Work on East C that began at the intersection of Stephenson Avenue has reached the 700 block and will continue east to Park Avenue, although it may not be finished this year. Work on West Hughitt is wrapping up, outside of landscape restoration, while Lake Street between West Hughitt and West A is getting its final paving. On West A, reconstruction continues between Forest Street and Kimberly Avenue. Asphalt removal on West A may take place next week from Forest Street to Tamarack Street. Work will continue well into the fall, but no areas are expected to be left unpaved. Bacco, meanwhile, is doing water service line replacements in other parts of the city.
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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.