Construction schedule includes Fountain, Bridge streets

By Sarah Stultz | Albert Lea Tribune

Published Saturday, April 11, 2009

Parts of Fountain Street and Bridge Avenue are slated to be repaired this summer.

The Albert Lea City Council is slated to vote Monday on preliminary reports for several of the city’s road construction projects for this summer.

The first project is the 2009 neighborhood improvement project, which includes mill, overlay, curb replacement and sidewalk replacement of residential streets in the central part of the city.

Albert Lea City Engineer Steven Jahnke said the project is bounded on the north by Richway Drive, on the south by Fountain Lake, on the east by Bridge Avenue and on the west by Lakewood Avenue. It would include replacing sections of curb and gutter, milling the existing bituminous street, and replacing it with a 2-inch-thick layer of bituminous.

Preliminary project costs are estimated at about $626,000, with 56 percent being assessable to property owners and 34 percent being city cost.

The second project is the overlay of several of Albert Lea’s state-aid streets.

It would include sections of Fountain Street, Martin Road, Bridge Avenue and Madison Avenue. Specifically, it would include Fountain Street from Minnesota Highway 13 to First Avenue, Martin Road from Lakeview Boulevard to Richway Drive, Bridge Avenue from Fountain Street to the channel bridge, and Madison Avenue from Commercial Street to Front Street.

Preliminary project costs are estimated at about $740,000, with 30 percent being assessable.

If the preliminary report is approved, a meeting would be held with neighboring properties on April 21. A public hearing would be April 27.

Jahnke said the improvement on Bridge Avenue would have to be done within seven days.

The third project is an 8-inch watermain replacement on U.S. Highway 65 between Margaretha Avenue and Todd Avenue. There is a watermain break in this span of pipe that has not yet been able to be located because of how deep it is in the ground.

If approved, the project would be completed by the Albert Lea Utility Department and would cost $50,000 out of the city’s water fund, Jahnke said.

Albert Lea City Manager Victoria Simonsen said if the project is approved Monday, the watermain replacement would be done immediately.

The fourth project is for bituminous pavement, curb and gutter installation on Wedgewood Road from West Ninth Street to what is now called Palmer Circle.

In the development agreement for Wedgewood Cove, the city agreed to paying $625,000 in construction costs for the road.

About $400,000 has already been spent toward the project, and remaining costs are estimated about $269,000.

Simonsen said the developer has agreed to pay any of the additional costs over the $625,000.

The fifth project is for reconstruction of North Shore Drive, from Lakewood Boulevard to Johnson Street.

The project would include installing a 7-foot-wide sidewalk along Fountain Lake to alleviate pedestrian concerns, along with stabilizing the lake shore.

Total estimated costs are about $501,000, with 21 percent being assessable and 79 percent being city costs. The stabilization will not be assessed.

If the preliminary report is approved, a meeting would be held with neighboring properties on April 15. Construction would occur between June and October.

During the Monday meeting, the City Council will:

Have a public hearing to receive input about establishing Municipal Development District No. 9, east of South Broadway Avenue and west of Margaretha Avenue bordered by the ALEDA Industrial Park.

The city’s comprehensive plan designates the development district as an area suitable for industrial development.

Have a public hearing to receive input about considering the formation of Tax Increment Finance District No. 9-1, which would go toward the construction of an Albert Lea Economic Development Agency spec building.

Vote on whether to approve an intent notice to annex about 148 acres of land in the Albert Lea Township, east of Chapeau Shores and west of Minnesota Highway 13.

The land, which is known as the Sunset Property, is bordered by land within the city limits.

If the notice is voted through, it would take between 30 and 60 days to be annexed.

Vote on whether to authorize an agreement of fire protection services from the Albert Lea Township to supplement the city’s services.

The agreement outlines the training requirements and compensation to the township firefighters when serving within the city, along with the cost sharing of items used by the city and township fire departments.

The city has worked with the township for many years.

Appoint members to Albert Lea’s Charter Commission.

Vote on whether to approve a request from Boy Scouts of America Troop 7 to use the North Broadway Ave. parking lot on May 16. The troop wants to host a Boy Scout flea market beginning at 7 a.m. to raise money to attend a summer camp in the Black Hills.

If approved, the flea market would be held in conjunction with the opening day of the Albert Lea Farmers Market.

Vote on whether to approve a request from resident George Gillespie to host a disc golf tournament at Bancroft Bay Park on May 30.

The tournament would be held to raise funds for the House of Knowledge, an organization that assists victims of cancer and their families.

Vote on whether to approve a request from the owner of 606 Pilot St. to defer assessments associated with storm sewer and street construction from 2009.

The assessment is for about $6,800.

Simonsen said though the owner meets the income guidelines to defer the assessment, it is ultimately up to the council to approve or disapprove the deferment.

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