Lafayette approves $624,075 design contract for Ninth Street drainage and sidewalk work

Lafayette City approved a contract with Versus Engineering in the amount of $624,075 plus expenses for design work on Ninth Street from Kasu Street to south of South Street.

The work approved on the design contract includes drainage improvements tied to the new storm-water pump station at South and Ninth streets, new sidewalks to replace tree-damaged sections, bump-outs in the parking lane, street lighting, bidding assistance and construction-phase design support. The contract also calls for replacing the existing pavers at the Ninth-and-Kasu intersection with a surface that is similar in appearance but not functional pavers, such as stamped asphalt or concrete.

Jeremy Grenard, city engineer, said the design phase will occupy the rest of the year, with the city anticipating bidding the project for 2026 construction. He described the drainage work as tying to the existing pump station and said pipe sections near the crest of the hill could be roughly 12 to 15 feet deep. Grenard also said the project team will try to space bump-outs to preserve needed parking while adding tree plantings along the corridor.

Council members asked whether bump-outs would remove parking; Grenard confirmed they will occupy parts of the parking lane but said the city will limit their number to preserve parking. He also said the city had previously tested permeable pavers in other locations but is pursuing a more extensive drainage approach for Ninth Street because of persistent standing-water problems.

The motion to approve the agreement with Versus Engineering was moved and seconded during the meeting and carried by voice vote.

The city did not provide a construction budget or an exact construction start date at the meeting; Grenard said the plan is to complete design work this year and advertise for bids in advance of 2026 construction.