Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Working against the weather, Moyle Construction will begin pouring the concrete footings for the new Public Works garage on Friday. The concrete blocks, some of which are stored in a shed, are already onsite.

LAURIUM – Construction of the Public Works Department garage is progressing, according to Village Manager Ian Lewis.

“The footings for the building are going to be poured this Friday,” he said. “After the footings have set, the blocks will be laid.”

The blocks have been delivered to the site by the Superior Block Company in Houghton, said Lewis. Tentative lans are currently to begin laying them next week, but allowing for contingencies, could begin the following week.

“The goal is to get the blocks laid and the get the steel put up before winter,” Lewis said, “so that during the winter months, the construction crews can work in an enclosed shelter.”

Lewis said the completion date is summer of next year.

“I’ve been saying around June of 2026,” he said, “maybe July. We’re really shooting for June.”

Moyle Construction Company secured the contractor for the project after agreeing earlier this year to work with the village’s insurance carrier, free of charge, to increase its initial claim amount. Originally, the insurance company had offered the village approximately $1.5 million. Moyle worked with the carrier and was able to have the amount increased to $3,628,000 for full replacement.

Laurium’s DPW garage was destroyed by fire in February, along with most of the village’s trucks, equipment, and tools.