FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Melinda Shriner, APR
[email protected] (989) 295-7334
Bay City Bridge Partners
[email protected] (720) 893-7508
(BAY CITY) –
United Bridge Partners dba Bay City Bridge Partners (BCBP) has entered into an acquisition and development agreement with the City of Bay City, MI, for the rehabilitation and modernization of Liberty Bridge and replacement of Independence Bridge – both of which pass over the Saginaw River.
City commissioners approved the agreement on Monday, December 16 as a first step to convey the bridges to BCBP. As part of the agreement, BCBP will also assume financial responsibility for operations and maintenance of both bridges immediately.
In addition to operating and maintaining both bridges, BCBP’s goal is to complete both structures in the most economical and shortest time frame with minimal impact to Bay City residents and business owners. BCBP’s proposal calls for sequencing and phasing the work to keep bridges open during construction.
“We are extremely happy that Bay City has entrusted us with this project and we look forward to becoming an active, engaged part of the city and contributors to its growth,” says Ken Szeliga, Vice President of Construction & Operations for United Bridge Partners.
BCBP is paying Bay City $2 million immediately, the first installment of a larger $5 million development fee for both bridges. A second installment will come at financial close, which will occur after the development details are finalized and the property rights are transferred to BCBP.
The agreement will relieve the City of the financial burden of operating and maintaining the bridges and will allow the City to reallocate approximately $700,000 currently budgeted annually toward the aging bridges to other city needs.
To accomplish its goals, BCBP has assembled a team of specialists in finance, design, construction, and operations & maintenance with extensive bascule bridge experience: United Bridge Partners (finance, operations & maintenance), Kenny-Kraemer JV (construction), TranSystems (environmental permitting and engineering), Stafford Bandlow (movable bridge design) Flint-based Rowe Professional Services Company (design), Saginaw-based The Barckholtz Group (public information) and DP+ (government relations).
To ensure a seamless transition, BCBP is working to secure agreements with existing city bridge tenders and mechanics/maintenance staff. BCBP plans to open a store front location in downtown Bay City to provide a local customer service site. In addition to hiring a locally-based general manager for the project, BCBP is also committed to using local union contractors and workers, local material and equipment suppliers, local engineering/technical consultants and professional services.
For more information about the Bay City bridge project, residents are encouraged to visit www.baycitybridgepartners.com and engage with BCBP on social media channels, once established.
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