Extending sewer and water services to northwest Albert Lea will cost $2.

Wednesday, April 07, 1999

Extending sewer and water services to northwest Albert Lea will cost $2.5 million.

But once construction is complete, City Manager Paul Sparks said the improvements will make the 500 acre section ripe for development.

&uot;This will open up the area for development,&uot; Sparks told the City Council Monday. &uot;Without this … growth would pretty much stop. The limit on growth is the availability of water and sewer.&uot;

With development in mind, the council and Albert Lea Mayor Marv Wangen unanimously approved a $220,000 contract with the architectural firm of Zenk Reed Trygstad and Associates to provide engineering services for construction.

During construction, which is expected to take two seasons, the Albert Lea businesses will provide inspection services and prepare completed specifications and plans for the bidding process.

The utilities will reach the Bath Road, Edgewater Drive, extend to Highway 13 and include the Country Club and former Stables Restaurant areas of the city.

Most of the area is agricultural and not assessable, but Sparks said he expects rapid development interest.

&uot;Not a whole lot, but it would come fast,&uot; Sparks of assessable property. &uot;There’s some nice parcels that can be subdivided into single family lots quite easily.&uot;

Construction will begin this year.

Plans include 1,271 acres in northwest Albert Lea and 512 acres surrounding the north and east shores of Lake Chapeau. The plans are divided into 15 sewer and seven water sections.

In other action, the council:

o Renamed Tech Drive to Riverland Drive.

o Assessed $11,500 to two property owners for improvements near Ben’s Floral.

o Approved the city manager’s annual report, containing the city’s unedited financial reports for 1998.

o Introduced an ordinance to annex 40 acres near County Road 74 for a planned housing subdivision. The council will consider the annexation at its next meeting.