City administrator updates council: near-term housing construction, new water tower, Central Park reopening and DWI recognition

The city administrator reported several operational updates and projects to the council. Staff said construction is underway on nearly 500 units of workforce housing in three buildings across two projects on the city’s northeast side. City staff also described a new water tower being built on the southeast corner of Bailey Road. Staff said the tower’s storage capacity is about 2,000,000 gallons, will be constructed as a concrete pillar rather than a fluted steel column, and will be taller than existing towers (roughly 10–15 feet taller). Construction is expected to last about a year; the city did not specify an exact in-service date.

Staff also provided an update on Central Park: interior finishing work is underway and the city plans to reopen much of Central Park to the public on Wednesday, Oct. 1, with a larger public grand reopening scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 2. Staff cautioned a few components, such as the amphitheater and “true lens” space, may not be finished at initial reopening and that some furniture and small improvements will continue after the site opens.

Finally, the administrator recognized two public safety officers — Jack Milbauer and John Miller — for being named to a DWI enforcement “all-star” team, noting 57 and 50 arrests respectively for the year as part of targeted enforcement. The administrator also noted a national study that listed Woodbury among the top safest cities in a defined suburban category.