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Newton commission approves demolition and redevelopment steps, selects Safe Streets consultant, and okays routine permits and bids
Summary
At its Aug. 26 meeting, the commission approved a reimbursement agreement with BNSF for demolition cleanup, awarded a $160,000 demolition contract for 320 N. Main, selected PEC for the Safe Streets for All grant work, set a September bid date for KOP rail extension, and approved several routine permits and agreements.
The Newton City Commission acted on several routine and project-specific items at its Aug. 26 meeting, approving agreements, accepting bids and setting procurement dates.
Key approvals and awards
- Demolition agreement with BNSF Railway: The commission approved a reimbursement agreement with BNSF for cleanup costs related to the city-owned property at 320 North Main. Staff said BNSF agreed to reimburse certain disposal and transportation costs for special waste, subject to a 250-ton cap. City staff recommended approval after negotiations.
- Demolition contract awarded: The commission received bids and awarded the demolition contract for 320 North Main to Don Langer and Sons, the low bidder, for $160,000.
- Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant consultant selection: The commission approved partnering with Harvey County and selected PEC to provide consultant services under the federal Safe Streets for All program; staff noted no direct cost to the city for consultant selection because of the county partnership. Commissioners emphasized SS4A’s multimodal scope (walking, biking, vehicle safety and accessibility features such as truncated domes).
- KOP rail extension: The commission approved plans and specifications and set the formal bid date for the KOP rail extension (to support industrial expansion) for Sept. 25 at 11:30 a.m.
- First Street tank / spheroid painting engineering agreement: The commission approved an updated engineering agreement with PEC for painting and repairs of two spheroid water towers and authorized staff to execute the agreement; staff estimated remaining project costs would not exceed approximately $6.6 million.
- Special-event street closure: The commission approved a request from United Way to close West Sixth Street from Main to Poplar on Sept. 27 for the United Way’s chili cook-off and granted use of picnic tables, trash containers and electricity.
Other routine items: The planning commission’s recommendation was received and Ordinance No. 5176-25 (rezoning at 126 South Pine from PO to R-1) was adopted by vote; the planning commission’s recommendation for the Prairie View final plat was received and the commission approved the plat contingent on staff finalizing documents. The commission also voted to table building-code updates to allow staff additional time for review.
Why it matters: The demolition work and rail extension support downtown remediation and industrial infrastructure that city leaders say will help expand the tax base. The SS4A planning work will inform multimodal safety investments across Newton and the county.
Ending: City staff will return with project-specific documents, benefit-cost analyses and final agreements as required by the commission’s approvals.
