Swartz Creek Is Adding a Pavilion and Restrooms to Otterburn Park. The Low Bid Was $574,025.

By Carrie Thompson, Strategic Marketing Real Estate Agent, eXp Realty, Grand Blanc, MI

The City of Swartz Creek has hired Glaeser-Dawes Corporation to build a pavilion, restrooms, a path, a bike station and accessible parking at Otterburn Park, one of the city's parks. The Swartz Creek City Council approved the company's bid of $574,025.15 on March 9, 2026, with all six members present voting yes (City of Swartz Creek council minutes, March 9, 2026). In September, City Manager Adam Zettel reported that the notice to proceed had been given and that "Work can start any day" (City of Swartz Creek council packet, Sept. 14, 2026).

The council approved the low bid 6-0 in March

The resolution, numbered 260309-05, says the city "is developing Otterburn Park to include a pavilion, restrooms, a disc golf course, a sledding hill, a bike station, and a walking path." It says the city "has acquired funds from HUD, the DNR, and a local charity (BeeMore Jentery) in the amount of approximately $600,000," and that sealed bids were opened on Feb. 19, 2026 (City of Swartz Creek council minutes, March 9, 2026).

Councilmember Knickerbocker made the motion and Councilmember Hicks seconded it. The roll call was yes from Knickerbocker, Henry, Melen, Spillane, Gilbert and Hicks, with no votes against. The minutes describe the bid as the low bid, recommended by the city's engineer, Rowe, and approved by the DNR. The council approved the Glaeser-Dawes bid "as a unit cost bid" (City of Swartz Creek council minutes, March 9, 2026).

The money comes from HUD, the DNR and a memorial fund

By August, the city manager's report put the funding in specific terms. "Our grants include $283,000 from HUD and $290,000 from the DNR, in addition to donations," the report says. "We have sufficient funds from the DNR, HUD, and donations to cover all proposed construction expenses" (City of Swartz Creek council packet, Aug. 10, 2026).

The donations carry a name residents will recognize. The city's spring 2026 newsletter says the effort "is largely grant funded and includes generous private donations from the Bee More Jentery group in memory of former City Council member Jentery Farmer" (City of Swartz Creek spring 2026 newsletter). At a May Park and Recreation Advisory Board meeting, Zettel said Farmer's family was considering how best to memorialize Jentery and host a ceremony (City of Swartz Creek Park and Recreation Advisory Board packet, May 19, 2026).

A federal funding delay held things up in spring

The bid was approved in March, but the shovels did not go in right away. In a staff letter dated May 14, Zettel wrote, "Otterburn Park construction is a go, but we are held up by a delay in the release of federal HUD funds." He added that the city's engineer was working with Genesee County Parks, which administers those funds, to clear it (City of Swartz Creek Park and Recreation Advisory Board packet, May 19, 2026).

By August the city had signed an agreement for construction services and received a notice to proceed. The report also flagged long lead times: "It appears the pavilion materials are a 2-3 month order and the pre-fab bathroom is a 10 month order!" (City of Swartz Creek council packet, Aug. 10, 2026).

Site work has started

The Sept. 14 council packet lists progress on the ground. "The water service and sewer services have been installed," Zettel wrote, and "Glaeser Dawes indicates commencement of construction in September." A separate update from the city's Department of Community Services noted, "Female cottonwoods at Otterburn are about 75% removed" (City of Swartz Creek council packet, Sept. 14, 2026).

The August and September reports describe the current scope as "a pavilion, restrooms, a path, bike station, gates, sign, and ADA parking," with an estimated total cost "close to $600,000" (City of Swartz Creek council packet, Sept. 14, 2026). The March resolution also listed a disc golf course and a sledding hill as part of the park's development. The later reports describe those two items as "now complete." The city has not published a completion date for the rest of the work.

It is one of several park projects in Swartz Creek this year

Otterburn is not the only park work on the city's list. The August packet says, "We expect pickleball court expansion at Elms and numerous maintenance updates at Abrams, including a new drinking fountain." It also reports that the Mott Foundation "announced $25M in funding" for a regional trail plan, and that the city's creek trail, from Elms to downtown, was noted as a relatively high priority in that plan (City of Swartz Creek council packet, Aug. 10, 2026). The downtown pergola at Holland Square is a separate project.

What buyers and sellers in Swartz Creek should check

If you are buying near Otterburn Park, expect construction traffic and equipment through the build, and check the city's council packets for updates since no completion date has been set. If you are selling nearby, describe the park improvements as underway, not finished, until the city announces they are done. The city posts every council packet and set of minutes on its website, which is the most reliable way to track the timeline.

Every listing I take gets professional photos and video, room sizes, targeted digital ads, and targeted buyer avatars. Call or text Carrie Thompson at (810) 893-3269.

About Carrie Thompson

Carrie Thompson, "Your Favorite Property Girl," is a Strategic Marketing Real Estate Agent (REALTOR®) with eXp Realty serving Grand Blanc and Genesee County, Michigan, including Swartz Creek, Clayton Township, Mundy Township, Flint Township and Gaines. Michigan license 6501338662. Call or text (810) 893-3269.