YOUNGSTOWN — The apparent low bid for a riverfront project on the city’s lower West Side is more than $200,000 less than the estimate for the work.

The bids will be reviewed and the apparent low bid from Marucci & Gaffney Excavating Co. of Youngstown will be presented either Nov. 20 or Dec. 4 to the board of control for approval, said Charles Shasho, deputy director of public works.

The project is from Spring Commons Park to West Avenue, along the Mahoning River. The work is expected to start in January and be finished about six months later, Shasho said.

Marucci & Gaffney submitted the apparent low base bid of $1,897,283.50 Friday among six companies that sought the work. The base bid estimate was $2.1 million.

There is also $85,000 worth of additional work — including some resurfacing work and a small pergola. Marucci & Gaffney’s proposal for the additional work was $77,033.70 for a total bid of $1,974,317.20.

The city plans to move forward with the additional work, Shasho said.

A.P. O’Horo of Liberty had the next apparent low bid of $2,007,000 that increased to $2,080,334.70 with the additional work.

The city in May 2024 received a $3,891,475 grant from the Ohio Department of Development’s Appalachian Community Grant Program, funding through the federal American Rescue Plan, for this project.

The Eastgate Regional Council of Governments initially administered the project, paying for design work and to clear a number of trees to make space for the riverfront park. The city in August signed a contract with Eastgate to handle the rest of the project.

“It’s going to be a nice addition to downtown,” Shasho said.

The work includes new floating docks for canoes and kayak use, parking lot improvements, a concrete walkway from Spring Commons Park — behind the B&O Station Banquet Hall — along the Mahoning River to the West Avenue boat launch, new picnic areas and gathering spaces, stone retaining walls, utility upgrades and a new restroom, Shasho said.