La Porte approves inspection and public-works contracts, emergency demolition award and utility solicitations

At its March 3 meeting the La Porte Board of Public Works and Safety approved several infrastructure and procurement items: an inspection contract for utilities relocation at the Tipton Street overpass, solicitations for sewer and water extension to the National Guard Armory, award of an emergency demolition contract for a hazardous building, and a pay request for Soldier Memorial Park well and raw-water main work.

Aegis Construction inspection contract: Tim Warner (Water) presented a contract with Aegis Construction Services totaling $194,600 for inspection of the Tipton Street overpass utilities relocation, allocated 74% to water and 26% to sewer. Warner said inspection is critical because large mains (including 18-inch transmission mains) and raw-water feed lines must be in place before bridge construction. The board approved the contract and noted the work schedule extends toward a September completion.

Sewer/water extension for National Guard Armory: The board authorized solicitation of bids to extend sewer and water to 2391 State Road 2 (National Guard Armory). Staff said the Guard will pay the water and wastewater portion for their building, and the project’s SRF funding covers construction; staff set a May 27 bid opening and said a recommendation could come to the board on April 7.

Emergency demolition award: After approving an emergency demolition order for 508 West 11th Street, staff solicited quotes from three contractors (Green Demo $27,000; Pavey Excavating $19,735; D and M Excavating $18,919) and recommended the low bidder D and M; the board awarded the work and discussed NIPSCO disconnect timing and funding sources (unsafe-building fund and code-enforcement demolition budget). Staff said they would pursue cost recovery from the property owner or mortgage holder.

Soldier Memorial Park pay request: The board took an item off the table and approved pay request No. 1 for the Soldier Memorial Park wells and raw water main contract 2 in the amount of $122,823, which advances the city’s multi-year work to add redundancy to its raw-water supply.

Why it matters: The combined approvals cover prioritized public-works projects—water-supply redundancy, sanitary and storm infrastructure, and removal of unsafe structures—and commit budgeted funds and solicitations to keep multi-project construction seasons moving.

Quotes: "That is redundancy for the plants, brings in a fresh water supply... that way each plant could carry the load of the city in a day," Tim Warner said of the Soldier Memorial Park wells and water-main work. On demolition bids, staff recommended awarding to the lowest responsive bidder, D and M Excavating, because the site needs prompt removal.