ONTARIO — Ontario City Council’s economic development committee has approved spending $67,440 for initial cleanup costs of the former General Motors property.
At a Wednesday meeting, the committee voted to accept bids from JBF Ontario, totaling $37,400 for the removal of several concrete beams and $30,440 for cleanup of the West Fourth Street property’s perimeter.
“I think we need to get it done. We have to get that property looking good,” Mayor Randy Hutchinson said.
The committee, led by councilman Mark Weidemyre, chose the cheaper option for both projects. Hutchinson allowed an extra week to accept bids, but still only received two. The alternative option was offered through From the Ground Up Tree and Landscaping and would have cost $47,000 for concrete removal and $31,500 for the perimeter’s cleanup.
Perimeter cleanup will stretch from the road to about 20 feet inside the fence line and is expected to begin soon. The concrete removal will follow.
“Both of them told me when they gave the quotes, they are ready to get started as soon as they can,” Hutchinson said.
The concrete removal will include the removal of several beams and the filling of a basement. Dirt from a potential waterline project is expected to be used as fill.
Based on the costs for initial cleanup, Hutchinson asked to increase the amount of money allotted in the 2019 budget for the property’s cleanup. The committee determined they should double the line for the property’s maintenance from $60,000 to $120,000. Finance committee chair Dan Zeiter previously said these increases were expected.
Bids are also being accepted for the rest of the property’s cleanup, Hutchinson noted. As of Wednesday night, however, he had only received one. He hopes to bring more options to a future meeting.
The City of Ontario acquired the former GM property in late 2018 through an agreement with the Adler Group of Miami, Florida.
Ontario officials agreed to take ownership of the former GM property in lieu of filing a lawsuit and fighting for $1 million in escrow in late September.
