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MARQUETTE -- The Marquette City Commission on Monday approved a bid on a $14 million project that aims to improve facilities at the Marquette Area Wastewater Facility.
The commission unanimously approved the bid from Negaunee-based Miron Construction for the project, which will improve the facility's ability to store biosolids and bring the storage capability up to Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy standards, which require 180 days of on-site solid storage.
Other planned improvements include providing high-strength waste receiving services and other upgrades which will make the processing of biosolids and biogas more efficient.
"We don't have a lot of choice in the matter as we are directed by the state of Michigan to do what we just did. We can argue about whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, but at the end of the day it is a requirement that we meet and this seems to be the most expeditious way to do so," said Commissioner Fred Stonehouse.
The funding for the project comes from multiple sources, with $5,857,500 in grant funding, $1,380,000 from reserve funds and a $6,826,000 loan through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The CWSRF loan is for 20 years with a 1.875% interest rate.
Bids on the project were opened in February, with the city receiving a single bid from Miron Construction. The Marquette Wastewater Treatment Advisory Board unanimously awarded the project to Miron at a March 14 meeting.