Harbor Park work continues

TWO RIVERS - Phase one of the Harbor Park project in Two Rivers, including the repair of ancient infrastructure, is nearly complete, while plans for phase two will be solidified over winter.

Two Rivers Public Works Director Jim McDonald told the city's Public Works Committee on Dec. 2 that all planned work for the year will be completed on schedule, with more work planned once the ground thaws next year.

"The contractor plans to get the stones placed this year, along with most of the earth work done," McDonald said. "Obviously, planting grass will be a waste of time, so they'll be planting some sort of erosion mat over the placed soil. Concrete, asphalt and all of that, nothing until next spring."

The main impetus for the project was to repair and replace aging infrastructure, including an 80-year-old seawall that was crumbling into the harbor and an equally old cast-iron water main that runs underneath. McDonald said a majority of that work has been completed.

"It's getting there," McDonald said. "The underground work is relatively complete, including laterals for sewer and water."

City Manager Greg Buckley said the project isn't only about modernizing the infrastructure. It will also "provide a public space on the harbor and a docking area for visiting Great Lakes boaters and commercial vessels."

That is part of phase two of the project. It will include a shelter/restroom building and parking lot at East and Harbor streets next to the Coast Guard station and bike/pedestrian trail connections north along East Street to the 17th Street Bridge and east along Harbor Street toward the beach.

"I'd like to get the designs (for those projects) done this winter," McDonald said. "So that we are ready to hit the ground running by the spring."

— Reach Marcus Nesemann at 920-242-4866 or mnesemann@gannett.com.