Reader Wonders Why Tank Hill Wasn't Considered for Skate Park

IRONWOOD, MI - Monday, June 23, 2008 - An anonymous reader sent these photos to the Chronicle.

The email message attached to the photos suggests, "With all the talk about a new skate park, why was the slab at Tank Hill overlooked as a possible site? The slab appears to be in very good shape, but, if it isn't perfect, I'm sure it could be made to work for a lot less money and with a lot less effort than the proposed Hiawatha location."

"It seems to me, that very little effort was put into finding the ideal location for the park. Of all of the suggested locations I have heard of, the one chosen appears to be the worst. I like the idea of putting the park across from the police department. I also think the Little League field would be good. Both have restrooms available and there are people that can keep an eye on what is going on there. It's naive to think that there won't be serious problems with an unattended skate park. I'm surprised more people aren't speaking up!" the email continued.

The proposed park is planned at a snow dump near the caves on Suffolk Street. The City Commission is scheduled to accept a $10,000 grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation for the new park. The American Ramp Company, the people that put on the ramp demonstration last week, said they will match the Hawk Foundation money dollar-for-dollar if the City opts to purchase their equipment. In addition, the Rotary has pledged $10,000.

Last year, City Manager Scott Erickson negotiated a deal with Moyle Construction, the general contractor for the Wal-Mart project in Ironwood Township, to allow the contractor to dump hundreds of yards of stumpage, fill, and construction debris on City-owned land in exchange for a 50 feet x 100 feet concrete slab.

According to a May 23, 2007, email message to Erickson from Moyle Project Manager Peter J. Dupuis, "This letter is being written to help solidify your downtown plans to build a future skate park for the local community."

"It is my understanding, at this time, you would like to do a Phase 1 concrete slab measuring 50 feet x 100 feet x 4 inches thick. Moyle Construction would like to help you accomplish this project." Originally, Erickson claimed Moyle was going to build a 100 feet x 100 feet skate park for the City as payment for Moyle's tippage.

"As a goodwill donation to the city, we will commit to providing and installing a 5,000 square foot, 4 inch thick, 3,000 PSI strength concrete slab. Local contractor, Ruotsula Concrete of Ironwood, has agreed to set it up and provide expert installers to place the concrete at no charge." According to Erickson, this wasn't a "goodwill donation" this was an agreement negotiated as payment for allowing Moyle to dump on City-owned Ayer Street land.

"We will also provide the city with a crushed rock product of 3/4" or less for a sub base. The sub base will be picked up, transported, and placed by City DPW crews. Moyle Construction will be providing roughly 200 tons of aggregate."  Ruotsula will place the concrete and City crews need to pick up, transport, and place the aggregate... the deal begins to become rather one-sided.

"Several issues remain unresolved at this time.

  1. This will be a hard surface slab only and will have no thickened slab or structural capabilities for loads other than using it to skate board.
  2. The city will have to grade the site and remove the topsoil, compact the sub-grade, haul, place, and compact the aggregate base.
  3. The city will back-fill the perimeter edges after concrete forms are removed.
  4. After the concrete is placed and finished, the city will set up and operate water sprinklers for curing.
  5. The city will have to purchase mesh, sealer, and saw cut blade for about $1,500. 
  6. The city can place the mesh after the forms are in place.
  7. The city may want to consider installing Styrofoam underneath the 4" slab to help prevent frost heaving. This would run about $3,125.00.
  8. The city should consider filling the saw-cut joints with sealant to give a smoother ride and prevent water from getting into the joints and freezing.
  9. The city must draft a letter holding Moyle Construction harmless from future claims at this location."

"We are happy to be able to work with the City of Ironwood on this project and hope it is enjoyed by the entire community for years."

Moyle should be happy. Ruotsula will be doing the forming of the slab, and the City is financially and physically responsible for doing just about everything else. The more you look at this "skate park for tippage" deal, the more one-sided it gets. Moyle has dumped thousands of yards of debris on City-owned land for a project that was built in the Township. Typically, tippage charges range from $30 to $100 per truckload. Hundreds of truckloads of debris were dumped by Moyle, and Ayer Street took a beating as Moyle's dump trucks drove back and forth from the site.

All Moyle is giving the City in return for all of that tippage is concrete -- not even a formed slab -- simply concrete!

Jim Albert