After a 2001 season that featured the reconstruction of Frank Avenue and Fountain Street and the resurfacing of much of the northeast section of the city, members of the city council are studying another list of major projects for 2002 that includes downtown resurfacing, James Avenue and Front Street reconstruction and a new water tower on the city’s north end.

Thursday, November 15, 2001

After a 2001 season that featured the reconstruction of Frank Avenue and Fountain Street and the resurfacing of much of the northeast section of the city, members of the city council are studying another list of major projects for 2002 that includes downtown resurfacing, James Avenue and Front Street reconstruction and a new water tower on the city’s north end.

&uot;It’s doubtful that we would even complete all these projects,&uot; said City Manager Paul Sparks during Monday’s city council meeting. &uot;It’s another very ambitious plan.&uot;

A handful of the projects will be funded with municipal state aid money, but most involve a combination of assessments and city construction funds, Sparks said.

City Engineer Dave Olson said the projects are consistent with the city’s capital improvement plan. The council opted to study the list for two weeks before approving it.

Municipal state aid projects:

n Front Street repairs: Settling of this concrete street has caused flooding problems the last few years. Workers will elevate and level the road from Frank Avenue to Garfield Avenue. Cost: $1 million.

n Downtown overlay: This was originally a two-part project; workers will install a new street surface and replace some curbs and gutters on several downtown city blocks. Cost: $925,000.

n Lakeview Boulevard: This is another concrete street that has seen some wear and tear. The city would like to see a new surface similar to the work recently completed on Fountain Street. Cost: $750,000.

n Smaller projects: A new road surface and some curb and gutter replacement will improve Lakewood Avenue from Hawthorne Street to Richway Drive. The city will also pay for a portion of the new signal lights planned for the intersection of West Main Street and First Avenue.

City-funded projects:

n Reconstruction of Myers Road: This costly project will repair extensive cracking and heaving of sections of the concrete road near Interstate Meats in the Jobs Industrial Park. Some repairs to the storm sewer and water main are also required. Cost: $2 million

n New water tower: A 500,000-gallon storage tank at the northeast city limits will improve water pressure and service to new developments in the area. Despite a snag in acquiring the land, the project is moving ahead. Cost: $900,000

n James Avenue Reconstruction: This project is very similar in scope to the 2001 project on Frank Avenue. The street will be widened and resurfaced with new curbs and gutters and utility lines from Second Street to Seventh Street. Cost: $835,000

n Southeast Marshall overlay: This street has huge potential for increased traffic next year with the opening of Home Depot. The old county highway could use an upgrade with new a new surface and a larger water main. Cost: $200,000

n Todd Avenue water main replacement: From South Shore Drive to Tenth Street, about 650 feet of old cast-iron water main will be replaced. The old line has required several repairs in the last few years. A new street surface will accompany the project. Cost: $100,000

n Smaller projects: A number of small stretches of road will receive resurfacing, sealing or utility improvements including Lake Avenue, Grace Street, Dawn Acres Street, Plaza Street, North Shore Avenue and the Blazing Star Trail. The city has also planned the construction of storm-water detention ponds near the city garage, Lake Chapeau, the snow dump near Farmland and south of Nineteenth Street.

Sparks said some of the projects may have to wait until 2003, but construction bids can be taken next fall.