Crown Point utility staff on Wednesday told the Board of Public Works and Safety that several capital water and wastewater projects are advancing, with loan closings tied to the State Revolving Fund (SRF) scheduled for June 30.

The updates matter because the SRF closings will trigger contractor notices to proceed and move the projects from design into construction, utility staff said.

Amy Mendoza, filling in for the city's usual utility representative, said the lead service line replacement contractor has been awarded the work and that "June 30 is the scheduled loan closing with SRF, and that's going to coincide with the contractor notice to proceed and the pre construction meeting." Mendoza said the contractor will provide a schedule but that mobilization is expected in August or September after early submittals in July.

Mendoza also reported that the existing wastewater treatment plant project has reached substantial completion. "The percent complete from a budgetary perspective is 98%, and the schedule, we have reached substantial completion and we're nearing final completion for that project," she said, adding that one additional change order is likely at a future meeting for repairs to Gate 5 damaged by a sewer plug.

On the downtown interceptor project, Mendoza said Atlas Excavating has been notified of the intent to award the contract and that SRF closing and a corresponding pre-construction meeting are scheduled for June 30. The southeast wastewater treatment plant is still in design; Mendoza said staff have completed value-engineering work and will decide which cost-saving items to incorporate before permitting and anticipated bidding later this fall.

Mendoza told the board the force main route and a 24-inch water supply line are undergoing easement negotiations with property owners to mitigate potential acquisition costs; those easement resolutions must be settled before design work continues in some locations. She said several lift-station designs are in progress but that work on some stations is paused while property acquisitions and easement negotiations proceed.

The board did not take a formal vote on the projects during the update; members asked clarifying questions and the mayor encouraged continued coordination with consultants and SRF. No contract awards or funding approvals were made at the meeting.

City staff provided no new firm construction schedules beyond the expected SRF closing on June 30 for the lead service line and downtown interceptor projects, and noted that some designs remain paused until easement agreements are finalized.