City engineering update: Grant Street phase progress, $970,000 utility invoice and Thompson Street garage delayed by cash‑flow timing

City Engineer Kevin Kralik provided project updates Sept. 8 that affect downtown construction sequencing and the Thompson Street garage schedule.

Kralik said funding for Grant Street Phase 1 has finally been processed from NDOT, enabling final closeout, change orders and construction records. Phase 2 has completed utility relocations — CenterPoint finished last — and Lebanon Utilities agreed to pay an invoice of approximately $970,000 for the utility portion of the project. Kralik said the utility payment cannot be made until the pipe is installed in the ground; because utilities cannot pay until work is performed, the city will delay full improvements on the Thompson Street garage for cash‑flow reasons. Kralik said staff hopes to move the Thompson Street garage bidding package forward by the end of the first quarter (city did not state which quarter/year on the record) once the necessary pipeline work is underway.

Kralik also reported on other construction activity: final punch‑list items and sidewalk pours are pending on Fort Dye Street; Milestone should finish remaining concrete work and sign installation this week; fall tree plantings are planned for cooler months. He noted various downtown building renovation projects are in finishing stages (Oaks on Main, Colliers Corner, and 124–126 N. State Road 39), with windows, HVAC, electrical rough‑ins and mural work in progress.

The report was informational; the board did not take a formal vote on the funding timing or Thompson Street schedule during the Sept. 8 meeting. Kralik emphasized the city’s cash‑flow constraint: utility payments are contingent on construction progress (pipe in ground) before Lebanon Utilities can remit its portion.