Multi-year dredging on Quarton Lake approved

By Grace Lovins

A five-year dredging project is set to begin on Quarton Lake after Birmingham City Commissioners awarded on Monday, June 9, the contract to Mid-American Group at a total cost of roughly $652,000.

The city received four bid proposals for the work ranging from under $600,000 to over $8 million. Monroe County-based Mid-American Group’s bid was the lowest cost at $593,008 with a 10 percent contingency for a cost of $652,309 for the entirety of the five-year project.

According to city engineer Melissa Coatta, the project will include the most dredging activity in the river north of the lake and Oak Boulevard. She said the staging area for equipment and materials will be on the north point of Oak Boulevard and it will also serve as an access point.

While some of the work will go south past Oak, most of the work over the course of the project is focused on the northern portion of the area.

Concerned for residents given the previous dredging project at Quarton Lake, commissioner Clinton Baller asked about potential disruptions to the nearby homes. He said equipment had been left for a long period of time even after the project had been completed. Coatta said the equipment will be kept in the designated staging area throughout the project.

Coatta also explained that letters will be mailed out to residents living on Quarton Lake and door hangers will likely be left on homes as well. She is coordinating with the city’s communications department to get the information out through social media also.

Commissioner Andrew Haig stressed the need for comparisons with nearby communities such as Warren or St. Clair Shores to ensure Birmingham remains cost-competitive. He said he wants to see that benchmarking used in all city projects going forward.

Commissioners voted 7-0 to approve the contract award to Mid-American Group for the five-year project.