Construction on a new pier on Lake Portage is set to begin in an matter of weeks.
The structure will reach from Michigan Tech’s campus, past the Portage Lake District Library
To the lift bridge that connects Houghton to Hancock.
Michigan’s Strategic Fund approved a 4 million dollar grant to help the city complete the 4.9 million dollar project.
We talked to Houghton. City Manager Eric Waara to get details earlier today.
“What happened when we were ready to bid this last year, the estimate was $3.8 million. What happened in the intervening time and with COVID-19 and supply chains and everything else – the price of steel doubled.” Waara said. “But the Michigan Strategic Fund board, they were the final say. Basically, once you have all your ducks in a row, you have to go and pitch it to Lansing. They decide whether or not this is warranted and they funded it.”
Michigan Strategic Fund approves Houghton pier
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The Paddle the Portage Event has been rescheduled to Thursday, June 24th due to the forecasted weather The same info applies
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HOUGHTON Houghton’s pier project will move ahead without needing to be scaled down.
At a special meeting Wednesday, the City Council approved additional matching funds of $408,550 to go with the Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s extra $1,225,650 of grant money. That brings the total project cost close to $5 million.
“I think it’s a tremendous opportunity for us,” said Mayor Bob Backon. “They’re increasing that amount and letting us match that at 25%, I don’t see how we can go wrong.”
The amount is based on the difference between the already authorized funds and the low bid. Skyrocketing steel prices during the pandemic resulted in bids for the piling on the pier coming in at twice the expected budget.