Construction on phase one of the Mechanic Street project is moving forward as city commissioners approved a bid from Morningstar Enterprises to bring more affordable housing to Big Rapids.

City Manager Mark Gifford told the commission they received two bids and the low bid was from Morningstar at $800,000.

He says the city looks forward to working with Morningstar Enterprises.

"It's a very exciting step forward in terms of making new housing opportunities in this area a reality." Gifford said. "We very much endorse Scott Morningstar and his crew who are doing other city projects including the Rust Avenue extension,part of the Hemlock Park improvement project, they are doing a lot of good work for us already and will continue to do that."

In other news, the commission voted to approve Carla Staffen as assistant city treasurer.