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City updates flood pump schedule, Riverwalk grant and downtown undergrounding plan
Summary
Staff updated the council on the Perkins flood pump project (contract $1.8M; budget $2.7M; pump delivery expected Q3–Q4), Riverwalk TAP grant progress, and a proposed phase‑1 undergrounding of utilities for downtown that would use remaining $750,000 budgeted funds.
City staff briefed the mayor and council on three infrastructure projects: a flood pump installation, Riverwalk transportation‑alternative (TAP) grant work, and a downtown utility undergrounding phase.
Scott (city manager) reported the Perkins flood protection contract was awarded for about $1.8 million with a project budget of $2.7 million; pump deliveries are expected in the third and fourth quarters of the year and construction of pump housings is anticipated in late 2025 or early 2026. He said the city’s existing pumps were used during recent heavy rainfall (6.5 inches) and one pump ran overnight; staff are planning automation so units no longer require manual activation by the fire department.
On the Riverwalk and River Overdrive TAP grant, Scott and engineering staff said the project completed state and federal reviews and is back with TDOT; the city has weekly contact with TDOT and is seeking to complete review and be ready for construction as early as October — an ambitious schedule dependent on multiple state and federal approvals. Staff said they had requested a time extension and TDOT’s legal review was addressing contract language.
For downtown utilities, staff described a proposed phase‑1 that would relocate aerial utilities into conduit and place lines underground in part of the project area. Engineering estimates for utility relocation were discussed in detail (example vendor estimates and a contingency were provided); staff said completion of phase‑1 would likely consume remaining $750,000 set aside in the downtown program budget. Council discussed sequencing and potential impacts to the construction schedule and asked staff to return with final cost and scope before proceeding.
No binding decisions were recorded at the study session; staff said they would return with more detailed schedules and cost breakdowns for council consideration.
