EDITOR’S NOTE: Superiorland Yesterdays is prepared by the reference staff at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.

30 years ago

ESCANABA — Bids have been advertised for construction of a juvenile detention center in Escanaba. The state Department of Social Services project has been delayed since announced in 1989. Plans for the project now are moving full speed ahead in an effort to secure a building permit before a new state building code goes into effect May 6, according to Doug Bovin, chairman of the Delta County Board of Commissioners. The $3.4 million project will employ more than 40 people and provide treatment and training for delinquent youth from the Upper Peninsula. The Bay Pines center will be constructed on property donated by Delta County in a wooded area behind the county’s Service Center. The new center is designed to provide an alternative for treating troubled youth from the U.P. who are now sent a great distance to downstate facilities. Last year, U.P. counties logged a total of 80,000 miles in transferring youngsters to distant facilities, Bovin said. Not only will the new center enable the juveniles to be closer to their families, it will include training, education and counseling services. If the building permit can be secured in time, construction is scheduled to begin in June. The project is estimated to take 18 months to complete.

60 years ago

MARQUETTE — Contract for mechanical work at the new Marquette Senior High School has been awarded to Industrial Piping Co., Ironwood, low bidder for the job with an adjusted bid of $528,270. The contract for the mechanical construction (heating, plumbing and ventilation) was awarded by the board of education at a special meeting this week in the Graveraet building. The mechanical contract was awarded to Industrial Piping Co. on the recommendation of Architect Malcolm Williams of Warren S. Holmes Co. Lansing. Because the three lowest bids opened for mechanical work were so close, the board referred the bids to the study and report of the architect. Caspian Construction Co., low bidder for general construction, received that contract. Completion time listed by Caspian Construction Co. is 480 calendar days. Its base bid is $1,544,000. The contract for electrical work went to M.J. Electric Inc., Iron Mountain. The Iron Mountain company was low bidder, at $193,886. Total of the three main construction contracts is $2,266,156.