By Jeff Vorva

Even though Beecher officials didn’t put the Village Hall parking lot repairs on the top of their to-do list, they were given an offer that was hard to refuse.

It will be done for free.

Thus, plans are in the works to replace the parking lot and possibly the roadway at Village Hall. The board set the wheels in motion during the June 10 meeting when it approved a motion to apply for a $50,000 Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant.

Beecher Public Works Director Matthew Conner called it a “one-time opportunity.”

“There is obviously a lot of work that can be in town such as sidewalks, water mains sewers and streets,” he said. “In my opinion, and members of staff’s opinion, is that the Village Hall parking would never be a priority unless we were being given funds to do it.”

The lowest bid for the project is $44,208 from Steger-based Wirkus Paving and the village is hoping to tag-team with neighboring businesses to replace the roadway.

The total cost for both the parking lot and the roadway would be $57,762, so the businesses would be on the hook for $7,762 if they choose to participate.

The village will have to pay for the project up front and then get reimbursed by the grant.

Officials acknowledged that there are some sidewalks that can use a face lift. But recently the village reached out to eight companies to try to get them to bid for a roughly $25,000 project but they all refused, likely because the project was too small.

All-American Day

No action was taken, but it appears that the village and the Beecher Lions Club are on the same page for plans for the club’s All-American Day, which will take place starting at 11 a.m. on Aug. 24 on Gould Street in the downtown area.

The village is not sponsoring the event, but officials and police are coordinating issues with the Lions club to ensure safety and security plus making sure insurance is in order.

The event will have a parade for veterans, a car show, a motorcycle stunt show and an area for drivers to do burnouts, which this year will not be held on village streets.

It will be held in an area off to the side. Last year, some of the striping on the street had to be replaced.

“I like that it’s off the street,” Beecher Mayor Marcy Meyer said. “The striping is not just paint. It’s expensive striping.”