SAGINAW, MI -- The Saginaw City Council approved a contract to repair a stage that has hosted many of the city's top concerts this century.

At its Monday, Jan. 13, meeting, the council unanimously approved a $198,376 contract with Merrill-based Mid-State Builders to restore the island's amphitheater.

The company was the lowest bid -- by a difference of more than $30,000 -- out of four proposals, all from Saginaw County-based contractors, city records showed.

The contract vote represents one of the final chapters of the nine-member governing body's long pursuit of the stage repairs.

Saginaw Mayor Brenda Moore for years has championed the effort to return the stage to its old form, pitching her political peers at Saginaw County to chip in despite the fact the city owns and operates the island.

Elected officials from both Saginaw County and City of Saginaw have approved funding to repair the island's 1970s-built stage in recent years. The venue has hosted popular outdoor gatherings including the since-defunct KCQ Country Music Fest and an annual gospel musical festival.

The Saginaw County Board of Commissioners in December 2022 approved a measure providing a $100,000 contribution -- via American Recovery Plan Act federal stimulus dollars -- while the city would chip in with $98,376 of Saginaw general fund dollars, city records stated.

Billboard-charting musicians have played on the stage including New Edition, Alice Cooper, Trina, ZZ Top, The 69 Boyz, Eddie Money, and MC Breed.

Now, when such performers visit Saginaw to perform outdoors, they typically play in Morley Plaza in the downtown district or Jolt Credit Union Event Park, across the street from The Dow Event Center.

The restoration project will include replacing existing wood decking with new treated lumber and composite decking; sandblasting and painting steel items, including stage roof and railings; and updates to electrical elements, officials said.