Portage board approves $2.9 million earthwork and demolition contracts for Amberley Elementary
March 10, 2026 | Portage Public Schools, School Boards, Michigan
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The Portage Public Schools Board of Education voted to award Amberley Elementary’s first set of construction contracts, approving $2,899,600 in work that includes demolition, earthwork and general trades.
Anastasia, the district project presenter, told the board Bid Pack 1 is the first of four packages designed to keep the Amberley project moving during design. She said the three bid categories cover a targeted portion of the existing building to be demolished, earthwork to prepare the site and early general trades so long-lead materials can be ordered.
“Breaking the work into bite-size packages helps us get materials ordered and the project moving while design continues,” Anastasia said. She also said the district conducts post-bid interviews with contractors and that the bid results fit the project budget.
Trustees approved the awards with the stated funding source from the 2020 bond fund (a series from the 2021 vote). The board recorded the contracted amounts as: Specialized Demolition Incorporated, demolition, $23,000; Fontaine Excavating Incorporated, earthwork, $2,823,600; and Hazelhof Builders Incorporated, general trades, $53,000.
Board members briefly questioned the spread between competing excavating bids. “I’m just surprised at the difference between number one and number two with the excavating,” the board president said during discussion; Anastasia replied that contractor risk calculations and late questions can drive variance and that her team found no bid irregularities during post-bid interviews.
Emily moved the motion to approve the awards and the board voted to adopt it unanimously. The district indicated additional bid packs — footings and foundations, structural steel and remaining construction — will be presented to trustees in upcoming months.
Next steps: staff will execute the awarded contracts and proceed with the earthwork schedule; the board will review subsequent bid packs as they are prepared.
Anastasia, the district project presenter, told the board Bid Pack 1 is the first of four packages designed to keep the Amberley project moving during design. She said the three bid categories cover a targeted portion of the existing building to be demolished, earthwork to prepare the site and early general trades so long-lead materials can be ordered.
“Breaking the work into bite-size packages helps us get materials ordered and the project moving while design continues,” Anastasia said. She also said the district conducts post-bid interviews with contractors and that the bid results fit the project budget.
Trustees approved the awards with the stated funding source from the 2020 bond fund (a series from the 2021 vote). The board recorded the contracted amounts as: Specialized Demolition Incorporated, demolition, $23,000; Fontaine Excavating Incorporated, earthwork, $2,823,600; and Hazelhof Builders Incorporated, general trades, $53,000.
Board members briefly questioned the spread between competing excavating bids. “I’m just surprised at the difference between number one and number two with the excavating,” the board president said during discussion; Anastasia replied that contractor risk calculations and late questions can drive variance and that her team found no bid irregularities during post-bid interviews.
Emily moved the motion to approve the awards and the board voted to adopt it unanimously. The district indicated additional bid packs — footings and foundations, structural steel and remaining construction — will be presented to trustees in upcoming months.
Next steps: staff will execute the awarded contracts and proceed with the earthwork schedule; the board will review subsequent bid packs as they are prepared.
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