Bloomington City Council approves negotiation for street resurfacing with Rowe Construction

During the recent Bloomington City Council meeting held on March 24, 2025, significant discussions centered around the city's upcoming General Street Resurfacing Program for fiscal year 2026. The council considered a resolution to waive technical bidding requirements, allowing city staff to negotiate directly with Rowe Construction for the project. This decision is crucial as it aims to expedite the resurfacing efforts in response to growing community needs.

City Deputy Manager Sue Boglofflin introduced Jim Karch, who has been officially appointed as the Director of Engineering. Karch provided an overview of the resurfacing program, highlighting the challenges posed by limited budgets and rising construction costs. He noted that the city has received a backlog of 489 complaints regarding sidewalk conditions, prompting a focused effort on sidewalk repairs this year. The program will prioritize addressing these complaints, with a significant portion of the budget allocated to sidewalk improvements.

Karch emphasized the importance of preventative maintenance, particularly through the use of high-pressure slurry treatments, which are cost-effective and extend the life of pavements. He explained that this method costs approximately 33 cents on the dollar compared to full resurfacing, making it a strategic choice for maintaining local roads.

The council also discussed the coordination between the resurfacing program and the water department's efforts to address lead service lines in the core part of town. This collaboration aims to minimize disruptions by ensuring that road resurfacing does not occur in areas where water infrastructure work is planned.

In addition to the resurfacing program, Karch presented a heat map of sidewalk complaints, which will guide the city in prioritizing repairs. The council's proactive approach includes utilizing sidewalk grinding for minor vertical displacements, which is a cost-effective solution for maintaining sidewalk integrity.

The meeting underscored the city's commitment to improving infrastructure while navigating financial constraints. As the council moves forward, the focus will remain on enhancing road and sidewalk conditions, addressing community concerns, and ensuring efficient use of taxpayer dollars. The anticipated next steps include finalizing negotiations with Rowe Construction and implementing the resurfacing program in the upcoming construction season.