Commission approves $32,500 to add commercial gutters to downtown market pavilions

The Atchison City Commission authorized staff to hire Wallace Guttering Company for $32,500 to install commercial‑scale gutters on the downtown Farmers Market pavilions, aiming to reduce heavy sheet flow that soaks vendors and their products during rain.

Parks and public‑works staff said the project was included in the city’s capital improvements program with a placeholder estimate of $50,000. Bids for the installation came back lower than that estimate, prompting staff to expand the work from the originally proposed north sides of both pavilions to include the south sides as well. Staff described the gutters as custom commercial units larger than residential gutters and said 16 downspouts are planned.

Phase 1 — the installed gutters — will cost $32,500. Staff said a Phase 2 to route downspouts into an underground conduit near White Clay Creek will likely be completed after market season and could raise the total project to roughly $60,000–$65,000. The commission approved the Wallace bid after discussion about whether smaller, residential gutters would suffice; public‑works staff and bidders said calculations based on roof area and rainfall indicated the larger commercial channels were appropriate.

The motion passed with three yes votes (Commissioner Greenlee, Vice Mayor Wilcox, Mayor Young) and two no votes (Commissioners Murphy and Slattery). Staff said the base installation will come from the CIP; Phase 2 would require a later decision when full routing costs are known.

Why it matters: The Farmers Market pavilions are a high‑use downtown amenity; gutters are intended to protect vendors and customers from heavy runoff and preserve market operations during rain.

Excerpts below are from staff presentation and the commission debate.