News Photo by Crystal Nelson Luke Gerhart, project manager at Wolgast Corp., looks at plans for Alpena Public Schools’ upcoming bond projects.

ALPENA — Renovations at Besser, Lincoln, and Wilson elementary schools are scheduled to begin in June.

The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education on Monday awarded a little over $1.3 million in contracts so renovations at the schools can begin, part of a $33.9 million bond proposal passed by voters in March.

Luke Gerhart, project manager at Wolgast Corp., told the board contractors will prepare for the work “almost immediately,” getting the preliminary work completed before construction begins in June.

Construction will take place over summer break, when kids are out of school.

“Right now, I think the last day scheduled for students is June 4, but, with things that could come up with snow days and COVID, we’re just saying early June right now,” Gerhart said on Tuesday. “It could change by a day or two if we have to make up snow days or anything like that.”

Gerhart said Wilson and Besser schools were selected to have their roofs replaced first because those roofs were in the worst condition district-wide. The board awarded a $283,193 contract to TRC Roofing to replace the roof at Wilson.

Wilson will also have a secure entryway built and the parking lot will be resurfaced while Lincoln’s entryway will be renovated so it is secure.

The board awarded Meridian Contracting a $549,663 general trades contract for work on Besser, Lincoln, and Wilson schools. Weinkauf Plumbing and Heating Inc. was awarded $137,230 for plumbing and mechanical work, while John’s Electric Inc. was awarded $109,134 for electrical work at those three schools.

Additionally, MacArthur Construction was awarded a $172,000 contract and Pyramid Paving was awarded a $84,180 contract for site work at Lincoln and Wilson schools.

Gerhart said contractors needed to revise their bids for Besser roof work because of some “irregularities” in the bids. Those contractors will have an opportunity to address those irregularities and can resubmit their bids.

Gerhart said the architect is finishing up designs for Ella White Elementary School, which will receive a new roof, a secure entryway and office area, and new boilers and associated plumbing upgrades. Bids for work there have not been approved by the board.

School board Trustee Tom Hilberg said during the meeting on Monday that he noticed all but one contractor, Bay City-based Pyramid Paving, are local.

“It’s nice to see our hard-earned bond money is being spent locally,” he said.

Board Vice President Stacey Parr asked Gerhart how the costs compared to the originally proposed figures.

Gerhart said costs were “right on target.” He said they allowed for the budget to either increase or decrease by 5%.

“There’s still a healthy contingency to address any issues that might come up along the way, especially for renovation projects, but we’re right on track with our budgets,” Gerhart said.

He said the district will roll out more bond-related projects around the same time next year and the years after that.

The $33.9 million in bonds will be paid off over 25 years through property taxes. Officials estimate the new bonds will cost about 1.8 mills, or about $90 a year for the owner of a $100,000, though that tax rate can fluctuate based on the annual bond payments due and the taxable value of property in the district.

APS bond work begins

The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education awarded a little over $1.3 million in contracts for renovations, including:

* $457,700 to Meridian Contracting for general trades at Wilson Elementary School

* $91,963 to Meridian Contracting for general trades at Lincoln and Besser schools

* $283,193 to TRC Roofing for Wilson Elementary School’s roof replacement

* $137,230 to Weinkauf Plumbing and Heating Inc. for Besser, Lincoln, and Wilson elementary schools for plumbing and heating ventilation and air conditioning.

* $109,134 to John’s Electric Inc. for electrical work at Besser, Lincoln and Wilson schools

* $172,000 to MacArthur Construction for site work

* $84,180 to Bay City-based Pyramid Paving for Lincoln and Wilson

Source: Alpena Public Schools