Mound council approves plan and advertises bids for Lost Lake Commons phase 2 after debate over trees, seating and art walk

MOUND — The Mound City Council voted July 8 to receive final plans and order advertisement for bids for Lost Lake Commons Improvements project Phase 2, approving the measure while agreeing to hold off work on the park’s south-side trees to preserve options for an art walk concept.

The decision authorizes staff to advertise for bids for Phase 2 work, which city engineer Matt Bauman said now totals roughly $790,000 without alternates and about $861,000 with alternates. "We did have an error in our calculations last time," Bauman told the council, and he said the updated estimate tightens the electrical costs and incorporates council feedback.

The council’s action advances concrete paving of the plaza, seating, lighting and electrical work, perimeter landscaping (excluding a southeast portion), interpretive and wayfinding signage and several alternates (decking replacement, performance-area upgrades, chairs for the plaza and a concrete trail upgrade on the southeast side). Bauman said the city's long-term financial plan this year lists a…