Contract awarded to construct Pitchford Park
Macomb Township’s Pitchford Park took a key step towards becoming reality on Nov. 16, when the Macomb Township Board of Trustees voted to award the contract for park construction to Warren Contractors and Development Inc.
“We are excited about this project, we believe all the amenities included in the park will continue to improve the quality of life for our residents,” Parks and Recreation Director Salvatore DiCaro said.
The township acquired about 14 acres on Romeo Plank Road between 22 Mile Road and 23 Mile Road for the park through a donation. The township sold several separate properties to finance the park. During a regular board meeting on Nov. 16, board members present voted unanimously to award the contract in the amount of $4,049,839.60. Clerk Kristi Pozzi was absent.
DiCaro said that a request for proposal was placed on Michigan Intergovernmental Trade Network (MITN). Township documents indicate that the request for proposal was posted from Sept. 23 to Oct. 26. Six proposals were received and the three lowest contractors were interviewed. The interview team included Supervisor Frank Viviano, Land Development Director James Van Tiflin, Department of Public Works Director Kevin Johnson, Purchasing Specialist Janet Solomon, Anderson, Eckstein and Westrick engineer Mike Smith, and DiCaro.
Viviano said that the team had some reservations about the ability of the lowest bidder to complete the job without extensive work on the township’s part, and that the deciding factor between the remaining two contractors was the level of experience.
“Warren Contractors had the most experience with projects similar in nature. References spoke very highly of their civil engineering background that was valuable in problem-solving in the field,” DiCaro said. “The contractor presented the township with a number of significant value engineering proposals that are being considered for cost-saving purposes. We are still hoping to break ground by the end of 2022 and we look forward to having the park completed in the fall of 2023.”
DiCaro said that Warren Contractors and Development Inc. has been in business for 28 years. He also said that they had provided the township with information on 10 of their last major projects, which are similar to plans for Pitchford. He also said that Warren Contractors and Development Inc. have developed parks with amenities similar to plans for Pitchford Park, such as a dog park, pickleball courts and tennis courts.
“We have checked out all of their references, all the communities were very happy with them,” DiCaro said.
Treasurer Leon Drolet asked if a bridge to connect the park to residential areas was included in the contract.
“It is not. It could potentially fit within the contingency and then be paid for still by the grant,” Viviano said, adding that the bridge could also potentially go out for bid as a separate project.