CAPE ELIZABETH — The town is accepting bids to remove and rebuild the stone steps on the Great Pond Trail, where the existing steps are decaying.

The steps are only a few years old, but have already been damaged and worn down. Town Planner Maureen O’Meara said the town is looking for a proposal for similar style, but with more durability.

“We’d like something that’s consistent with the rural nature of the steps and also of high quality,” she said.

Bids will be accepted until Sept. 24 at 2 p.m.

O’Meara said the town is accepting bids because it isn’t sure of the best way to rebuild the steps, which are in a steep area with a likelihood of erosion.

“We really are not sure how to handle the situation,” O’Meara said. “We’re looking for people to step up and give us some advice.”

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O’Meara said proposals should describe a long-term solution in keeping with the character of the adjacent boardwalk. She also said the town won’t take any action on rebuilding the steps without the full cooperation of the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust.

The bids should include pictures of what the steps would look like and the cost of the project. She said there is no price point, because the Conservation Commission doesn’t know how much should be spent. But the town doesn’t have a lot of money to spend.

“The commission doesn’t have a large budget,” O’Meara said.

The proposals must also signify what type of materials will be used as well as the quantity of materials. O’Meara said a challenge with this project will be getting materials and equipment out to the rural area where the steps are located.

A full list of requirements can be found on the town website.

O’Meara said there is no real time-table for the project. She said that while sooner is better than later, the commission would make an exception if the winning bid needs more time to be completed. But she said she hopes to see it done soon, as the steps are hazardous in their current condition.

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As of Wednesday, O’Meara said, no bids had been received. If there is no interest, she said the Conservation Commission will discuss the town’s next step at its Oct. 14 meeting.

“The commission will discuss this no matter what,” O’Meara said. “We know something has to be done.”

Kate Gardner can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 125 or kgardner@theforecaster.net. Follow her on Twitter: @katevgardner.

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The stone steps on the Great Pond Trail in Cape Elizabeth need replacement.


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