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Staff: Courthouse Road land purchases likely about $200,000; construction estimate about $1.5 million
Summary
A public speaker asked for an update on Courthouse Road. Staff said the city plans to buy parcels to create a 0.22-mile construction road, expects land costs around $200,000 and initial full-build estimates near $1.5 million, and will keep council and the public informed as contracts are finalized.
Jared, who identified himself as a resident of Ellsworth, asked the Finance Committee for an update on Courthouse Road and whether the city could publish a public-facing spreadsheet tracking costs.
A staff member replied that the construction road will be about 0.22 miles long and 66 feet wide. Staff said the city has spent roughly $65,000–$70,500 so far on preconstruction work — engineering, surveying, environmental reviews and related legal fees — and that about $215,000 remains in the local roads account. Staff said that, based on assessor valuations and current negotiations, land purchases for the project are likely to be in the neighborhood of $200,000.
Staff characterized the $1.5 million figure discussed previously as an initial “soup-to-nuts” estimate for completing the full road (right-of-way, grading, pipe, blasting, paving). They said the city expects to use its public works crews for some clearing and fill to reduce contractor costs, but paving and other specialized work will likely be contracted out.
If final purchase agreements for the parcels cannot be completed in time for the next council meeting, staff said they would call a special meeting to obtain council action. Staff also said they will provide a more detailed cost breakdown at the next council meeting and will consider a public spreadsheet or similar tracking to keep residents updated as the project proceeds.
