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Lenox approves nearly $2 million Oriole Avenue reconstruction design and financing package
Summary
The Lenox City Council approved a financing package and work order to design reconstruction of East Royal (Oriole) Avenue from Main Street to Highway 44. The project is expected to cost just under $2 million, with $1.4 million in grants secured and roughly $586,000 to be financed.
The Lenox City Council voted to approve a financing package and a design work order for reconstruction of East Royal Avenue (referred to in packet materials as Oriole Avenue) from Main Street to Highway 44, moving the project toward design and eventual construction.
Lori (staff member) told the council the project is expected to begin and be completed in December 2026 and to cost just under $2,000,000. "Of that, approximately 268,000 is expected to be spent on design and construction administration," she said. The city secured about $1,400,000 in grants from the Department of Transportation and the Governor's Office of Economic Development and will need roughly $586,000 in financing to complete the project.
Mitch (staff member) walked the council through the proposed scope: phase 1 survey and utility coordination; phase 2 schematic design; phase 3 design development; phase 4 construction documents; phase 5 bid administration; phase 6 preconstruction assistance and phase 7 construction administration and staking, followed by project closeout. Mitch said they do not expect substantial sewer repairs based on review of sewer video, but noted some storm sewer extension will likely be added along the corridor.
Staff said coordination with the Department of Transportation will be required because the state will be improving the adjacent highway; schedule coordination with DOT is planned. Additional services listed in the packet include geotechnical services and materials testing; staff estimated geotechnical costs would likely be under $10,000. The council approved the financing package and then approved the work order in separate motions; both motions carried on voice votes.
City staff said proceeding with the project will reduce available discretionary funds for other quality-of-life projects for a few years as the city rebuilds fund balances, but that options such as sales-tax bonds or mixed cash-and-bond financing remain available.
