Rochester Hills City Council on Monday, July 27, approved four contracts worth more than $1 million combined, directing the bulk of the spending toward improvements at Avon Nature Study Area and new wayfinding signage across the city's parks system.

The largest piece is a $523,578 contract with Warren Contractors & Development of Shelby Township for renovations at the 102.5-acre Avon Nature Study Area on West Avon Road. The base construction price is $475,980, with a 10% contingency of $47,598 built in, according to city council records.

Rochester Hills-based Spalding DeDecker will handle construction engineering services on the Avon Nature Area project under a separate $68,784 contract. Together, the two Avon-related contracts total $592,362.

The council also approved a $291,929 contract with Postema Signs & Graphics of Grand Rapids for a parks wayfinding signage project. That figure includes a base price of $265,390 plus a 10% contingency. The signage will cover the city's parks system, though specific installation locations have not been released.

Rounding out the package, the council approved a blanket purchase order of up to $160,000 with Imperial Brady of Rochester Hills for janitorial supplies, paper products, and green cleaning products for city facilities through September 30, 2028.

Two of the four contracts keep dollars local. Spalding DeDecker is headquartered on East South Boulevard in Rochester Hills, and Imperial Brady operates from the city as well.

The Avon Nature Study Area, located at 1115 W. Avon Road, features nature trails, wildlife viewing, Clinton River frontage, a gazebo, a picnic area, and a scenic overlook. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk.

The city has not announced a construction start date or completion timeline for the Avon Nature Area improvements.