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Council tables $620,000 West Minnesota Park Road project after debate over concrete vs. asphalt
Summary
The council accepted a $250,000 Tangipahoa Parish grant toward repairs for West Minnesota Park Road but voted to table final approval after members raised concerns about using concrete versus asphalt, timing and district priorities; the estimated total project cost is $620,000 with a $370,000 city match.
The Hammond City Council on March 25 voted to table final action on a proposed improvement project for West Minnesota Park Road after extended debate about materials, cost and scheduling.
Staff said Tangipahoa Parish will grant the city $250,000 toward repairs on the segment west of the Southwest Railroad leading to the mall and big-box stores. The administration recommended a concrete reconstruction, citing longer lifespan and past local examples. Staff presented a total project cost estimate of $620,000; after subtracting the parish amount, staff said the city would need to provide about $370,000 from the grant-match fund.
Councilman Wells and other members pressed for more district-level discussion, questioned whether the parish grant requires asphalt rather than concrete, and asked for a detailed plan and consolidated bidding process that could address other nearby streets. Staff said the parish left the choice of materials to the city and that asphalt cost estimates were lower (approximately $465,000 compared with a higher concrete estimate), but that concrete is expected to last longer and reduce future maintenance.
After discussion and a request from council members representing the affected district to meet with staff and stakeholders (including the mayor and engineering consultants) before finalizing scope and materials, the council voted to table the item so staff could produce additional information and the council could hold a follow-up meeting.
Staff cautioned that delaying the item could push construction beyond the target window to complete work ahead of the holiday season, but members said they preferred to schedule a meeting to resolve material-selection and district-priority concerns before committing city match funds.
