Board approves PinFusion-area public parking agreement and awards sidewalk contract

The Board of Public Works and Safety on May 6 approved a parking-access agreement tied to the PinFusion development that formalizes a 250-space public parking lot south of the site to serve PinFusion, the Dunes Event Center, Clear Lake and Chesapeake trails and nearby businesses. Bert Cook, executive director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, said redevelopment commission and city council previously approved the plan and the board’s vote implements the agreement at the Board of Public Works level; one member abstained on the vote.

Separately, staff recommended awarding a sidewalk contract to Pavey Excavating as the lowest responsive bidder ($343,629) to replace or repair sidewalks on Harrison, Maple, Jefferson, Chicago, Perry and a short stretch of Lincoln Way. Staff explained one bidder was disqualified for failing to submit a bid bond and another for not meeting the responsible-bidder ordinance; the board approved the contract.

Board members said the parking lot will help address safety and parking overflow during busy weekends and that the sidewalk work is prioritized based on on-the-ground assessments by staff who walk the routes.