Kenneth Knutsen with Barton & Loguidice discusses some of the issues they’ve run into while doing the landing plaza project near the Chautauqua Belle, including a need for the contractor to dig deeper than originally planned due to the material uncovered. P-J photo by Gregory Bacon

MAYVILLE – The work at Lakeside Park is costing more than originally expected.

During the Mayville Village Board meeting, Kenneth Knutsen with Barton & Loguidice was in attendance to discuss the park project.

It was announced in the beginning of 2023, that the village was awarded a $650,000 grant for improving the landing plaza near the Chautauqua Belle, installing a handicapped-accessible kayak launch, and installing a waterfront pedestrian and bicycle trail. The grant would cover 75% of the costs and the village was responsible for the remaining 25%.

After the announcement, the village hired B&L as its engineering firm and later went out to bid for the work to start.

There has been heavy equipment in the park this fall as the work has begun on the landing plaza, which is budgeted to cost $399,000.

Mayor Rick Syper said at the October meeting that certain parts of the trail would not be covered by the grant project, so the village will need to take care of that part themselves.

For the kayak launch, Syper said where they originally proposed placing it, there are some protected mussels and the water isn’t deep enough.

Syper said the kayak launch in its current place would cost around $110,000. But if it is moved around 30 feet “that should save us somewhere around $50,000 and probably $2,000-$3,000 in permitting.”

In order to move the kayak launch the village board was asked to approve a resolution for $17,100 for additional engineering and permitting fees.

Trustee Bill Ward voted against the resolution.

He has complained in the past that he does like where the kayak launch is being placed.

For the landing plaza, Syper said when the contractor was working last week, they discovered they had to go deeper than originally planned because the material was mostly ash, which wouldn’t pass compaction testing.

Knutsen confirmed what Syper said, noting the contractor had to “over-excavate it” to get to better material.

“That’s going to increase the amount of stone that has to go in there,” he said.

They have to review the new time, material and equipment used, compared to what the contract states. After that, “we’ll come back to the board for a recommendation on payment,” Knuten said.

For the trail work, Syper said they are looking at what materials are required for the trail, according to the grant.

Ward said for the trails, he wants to see a surface material that is “porous” and doesn’t want to see the trails blacktopped.

Syper said when a recommendation is made for the material, it will be brought before the village board for a vote, but agreed that where the trails are being proposed he doesn’t think blacktop would be a good option.

Syper did say that according to the grant, which was approved by the previous administration, all three phases must be completed.