Council approves multiple construction and utility contracts, easement vacatons and project bids

The Cedar Rapids City Council on Jan. 28 approved a slate of public‑works and utilities actions, adopting resolutions and awarding contracts for several city improvement projects.

The items adopted or acted on included easement vacations, parking‑lot and street reconstruction projects, a stormwater detention basin project with FEMA hazard‑mitigation funding, sanitary sewer service replacement work and award of construction contracts from bid openings.

Highlights and outcomes: - Item 3 — Sanitary sewer easement vacation north of Walford Road (previous 1997 easement no longer needed after 2024 plat): Council adopted the resolution to vacate the original easement. Motion: moved by Council Member Tyler Olson; seconded by Council Member Meyer; outcome: adopted. - Item 4 — Third Street Southeast public parking lot improvements (engineer’s estimate $205,000): Council adopted plan specifications and authorized bid opening. Motion: moved by Council Member Van Orny; seconded by Council Member Todd; outcome: adopted. Bid opening scheduled Feb. 5, 2025. - Item 5 — Eighth Street Northwest reconstruction from D Avenue to E Avenue (engineer’s estimate $230,000): Council adopted plan specifications and authorized bid opening. Motion: moved by Council Member Scott Olson; seconded by Council Member Todd; outcome: adopted. Bid opening scheduled Feb. 12, 2025. - Item 6 — E Avenue NW detention basin expansion (engineer’s estimate $2,440,000): Council adopted plan specifications for a project funded in part by FEMA hazard mitigation grants and an Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship grant to add storage, water‑quality improvements and a pedestrian loop. Motion: moved by Council Member Scott Olson; seconded by Council Member Todd; outcome: adopted. - Staff said the detention basin project includes wetland plantings, a new sidewalk loop and coordination with planned sediment removal and trail projects; construction is to start in April with substantial completion by Nov. 30, 2025. - Item 7 — 2025 sanitary sewer service replacements (engineer’s estimate $510,000): Annual program to replace failing service laterals (Orangeburg) and reduce future pavement failures; up to 50 parcels may be assessed. Motion: moved by Council Member Van Orny; seconded by Council Member Poe; outcome: adopted. - Item 30 — Award of contract for Fifth Avenue Southeast pavement rehabilitation (engineer’s estimate $4,390,000): Council awarded the contract to ROTC Construction Company of Marion, Iowa following a low bid within the reported range. Motion: moved by Council Member Meyer; seconded by Council Member Tyler Olson; outcome: adopted. - Item 31 — Award of contract for molecular sieve installation package 2 (engineer’s estimate $300,000): Council awarded the contract to NB Cook General Contractors in the amount of $288,585. Motion: moved by Council Member Poe; seconded by Council Member Van Orny; outcome: adopted.

Reported bids (no award at this meeting): - Item 29 — Report on bids for Third Street Southwest reconstruction (estimated $2,830,000): Six bids received; staff reported results and said award action will be considered at the next meeting.

Why it matters: These actions authorize design, bidding and construction for road, parking, sewer and stormwater improvements across the city, including one federally funded hazard‑mitigation project that staff said will reduce flood risk downstream. The sewer service replacement program focuses on mitigating future pavement damage and may result in assessments to property owners who do not complete repairs themselves before city construction.

Ending: Staff gave timelines for bid openings and construction starts; council members emphasized the projects’ roles in system maintenance, flood mitigation and neighborhood quality of life.