Elmwood Township recently received a somewhat alarming $450,000 change order on phase three of their marina improvement project. This could have increased the costs for the new boater’s pavilion and associated site work by almost half a million dollars.
However, the township board and its harbormaster, Dan Jenuwine, made some revisions to the project, cutting some costs by removing recommended items. When the board approved the change order at an Oct. 16 special meeting, they agreed the costs were not to exceed $160,000.
The big items that were removed from the original change order included just under $180,000 for staff lounge improvements and over $76,000 for underground electrical conduits.
Jenuwine said that cladding and roofing at the staff lounge — which was originally included in the change order for about $153,000 — will be pushed off to a later date. Some amenities like a sink and electric water heater for the staff lounge are being removed completely because they are already available to staff at the main marina office.
The second biggest reduction in the change order came from removing the polyvinyl chloride conduits that were going to run to the buildings and docks. Jenuwine said that conduits were included to power a gate for the marina parking lot.
But the township also wanted the conduit to accommodate later possible additions, including wiring to the docks for better internet connectivity and two electric vehicle charging stations. Neither of these things were going to be included in phase three of the marina improvements, but they may have been added later, pending board approval.
“After looking at all this stuff, and not being able to say if and when we’d do any of those, it doesn’t make any sense to spend $75,000 now,” Jenuwine said. “The biggest expense would have obviously been running across the marina to provide for the internet hardwiring.”
Elmwood Township Marina users have often noted the poor internet availability at the docks. Jenuwine said that other marinas have similar issues, and harbormasters believe that waiting for advancements in satellite-based technology is more practical than spending large amounts on electrical wiring.
With those items removed, what was left on the change order? According to Jenuwine, the “most controversial” addition left on the sheet was approximately $28,000 to add three new gas outlets to the gable shelter. He said he was initially taken aback by the “massive” number, but came around to it because of the equipment included, like automatic shutoff valves.
At the township board’s last regular meeting earlier this month, township Supervisor Jeff Shaw mentioned that the township may soon have the chance to add a fish grinder station at the marina. During the Oct. 16 special meeting, Jenuwine said that Traverse City Manager Elizabeth Vogel supports this addition, provided sampling results show little mercury content.
