SUNBURY — Low initial bids — about $1.2 million less than expected — may allow for extras in the city’s riverfront project.
Bids were awarded in the spring, but city officials have not spoken publicly about the difference in the project costs compared with the amount allocated for the project. Asked by The Daily Item about the discrepancy Wednesday, city officials said that project officials are now eyeing a Bainbridge Street pier enhancement that might include a stone-look overlay on the pier, railings, and a sail-like canopy.
“It would be magnificent for visitors just coming over the bridge,” said project manager Tom Deans.
The idea revisits a part of the original project that was designed, but later eliminated to make sure the two-phase project stayed within its $9 million budget.
To date, about $7.8 million of the grant money is committed. That’s $2.1 million for the trail project on the city side of the wall and $4.2 million for riverbank stabilization, plus pier, marina, trail and amphitheater installations on the river side of the flood wall. And $1.5 million is committed for engineering, bringing the total to $7.8 million.
There have been some change orders and additions.
The Sunbury Municipal Authority requested upgrading pipes serving the river side of the wall, from PVC to galvanized metal, at a cost of $67,879; and PPL costs added $80,000 for relocating power poles and lines to accommodate the trail enhancement project.
These and other changes were manageable due to the low initial bids. There is breathing room.
“This project is looking good in terms of dollars,” Councilman Jim Eister said Wednesday.
That’s why the Bainbridge work is looking very possible, he said.
It is estimated to cost about $175,000, Deans said.
Nothing, however, will be done to advance that work until the shoreline rip rap repair and WPA wall repair are complete. The rip rap eroded because of the wave action of boats when the Susquehanna River is turned into Lake Augusta by inflation of the fabridam each summer.
The WPA wall, the last line of defense before the floodwall, is a victim of time.
Engineers recently surveyed the wall and marked sections that need a lot, a modest amount, and a minor amount of repair, Deans said. Then they estimated the amount of stones that would be needed for those repairs.
“Still, it couldn’t be precise,” Deans said.
That’s why the work will have to be substantially complete before anyone knows how much money will remain for extras.
While the WPA wall is being worked on now, the rip rap is underwater and work on it must wait until the water level drops sometime in mid-October.
“Stabilization of the shoreline is number one,” Eister said.
If the Bainbridge pier can be enhanced, it will be done by a change order to the construction firm handling the riverside work, HRI Inc. of Bloomsburg.
-- E-mail comments to dianepetryk@dailyitem.com
News
Related Photos
-
Work being constructed along the river beyond Sunbury's floodwall. Matthew Harris/The Daily Item
Discussion
City has $1.2M to play with
Riverfron t project’s low bids create room for pier enhancement
- News
-
-
Buyer: Pine Meadow must be vacated
With only five days to go before a federal public housing contract runs out, Ramon Margary occupies one of two of 100 apartments yet to be vacated at Pine Meadow.
-
Care home's $68G fine in limbo
A hearing was canceled Friday to determine if the president of a corporation, that was convicted of stealing money from a resident of a Selinsgrove personal care home, is liable to pay its $68,000 fine.
-
Group offers weapons against cyber crime
With increased budget pressures forcing more police departments to consider placing every available officer on patrol as much as possible, a nonprofit organization is providing funding to make the case that it makes sense to continue efforts to try to identify sexual predators online.
-
Ex-chief clerk fights to keep lawsuit alive
Kymberley Best, the fired Northumberland County chief clerk, is willing to dismiss one count of her federal lawsuit but opposes a defense motion to dismiss the entire case.
-
Judge sets May trial date for Sandusky abuse case
BELLEFONTE — A judge said today he would decide soon whether to grant former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky greater freedom — and visits from his young grandchildren — while he awaits trial on child sex-abuse charges, but prosecutors countered that Sandusky's home is not a safe place for children.
-
Lewisburg schools face cuts in personnel, programs
LEWISBURG -- Superintendent Mark DiRocco told the Lewisburg school board Thursday night that a proposed block grant system of school budget funding will run the district short of cash that will have to be made up through personnel and program cuts. Lewisburg's proposed 2012-13 budget stands at $28.6 million, with no less but also no more money coming from Harrisburg. "Even a neutral budget is problematic," DiRocco said.
-
Mom: Keller's response left her cold
LEWISBURG -- Like many people, Elise Nicol is concerned about Marcellus Shale and the industry's effects on Pennsylvania's environment. The Lewisburg mother of two cares about it enough that she sent an email to state Rep. Fred Keller, R-85 of Kreamer, asking him to oppose House Bill 1950, which passed the General Assembly on Wednesday.
-
Point Township authority concerned by sewer plant violations
NORTHUMBERLAND -- Point Township Sewer Authority members Thursday night expressed concerns about a Feb. 3 letter sent to the Northumberland Sewer Authority by the state's Department of Environmental Protection saying that the borough authority has violated the Clean Streams Act.
-
Persing truck fee idea stalls
SUNBURY -- While Pennsylvania has passed legislation allowing communities to collect impact fees in 35 counties, Northumberland County is not one of them, and business leaders and lawmakers do not think Sunbury Mayor David Persing's plan to try to do his own version of an impact fee will pass muster.
-
Barber draws a crowd
DANVILLE -- The talk can be spirited at times, ranging from hunting to sports to home repairs. "You hear all kinds of stories," Gene Koehler, of Riverside, said Thursday as he waited for a haircut at The Masters barbershop, 209 Mill St. No appointment is necessary. Customers can just walk in.
-
State board approves table games at Valley Forge casino
VALLEY FORGE — A casino resort scheduled to open this spring in the Philadelphia suburb of Valley Forge has been approved for table games.
-
Doctors telling more adults: Get out and exercise
ATLANTA — A new study shows more and more U.S. adults are being told by their doctor to get off their duffs and exercise. A government survey found nearly 33 percent of adults who saw a doctor in the previous year said they were told to exercise. That was up from about 23 percent in 2000.
- More News Headlines
-
