City outlines $12.5 million plan for 32nd Avenue South reconstruction, proposes special assessments

The city presented plans for the 32nd Avenue South reconstruction project, a multi-phase rebuild from 15th Street to the Red River that will add new inlets, realign intersections, upgrade pedestrian infrastructure and replace water and sewer lines.

Eric (the project presenter, whose surname appears in the transcript as both "Hodson" and later as "Cotton") said the project is tentatively scheduled to be bid on Feb. 6 through the DOT, with contractor work expected to start in early May and a stated substantial completion date of Oct. 9, 2026; the transcript lists a final completion date of Nov. 6 but the year is unclear.

City staff described a two-phase work plan. Phase 1 will extend from east of University Drive to the Red River; Phase 2 will cover the remainder to the west side of 15th Street and is split into subphases 2a and 2b. The presenter said Phase 2a may require closing the University Drive intersection for up to 55 days and Phase 2b may close the 15th Street intersection for up to 30 days, with a contract requirement that both intersections not be closed simultaneously. The city will allow 55 days for Phase 1 and 100 days for Phase 2 (155 days total) and is offering up to a 30-day incentive for earlier completion, which would reduce the duration to 125 days.

Traffic detours were described for each subphase: for 2a, routing would use 30th Avenue South to 15th Street to 35th Avenue South; for 2b, routing would use 27th Avenue South to 18th Street to 35th Avenue South. The presenter said pedestrian access to businesses will be maintained or provided via approved alternate access and that temporary water service will be supplied to impacted properties. Work will include replacement of ACP water main, addition of a parallel storm sewer line to increase capacity, and sanitary sewer replacement. Crossings will be upgraded to current ADA standards and new paths will be added on the north and south sides of portions of 32nd Avenue South.

On landscaping, staff said the project will add median planters, wider boulevards and a total of 12 new trees plus 12 re-plants. The contractor must provide a public relations coordinator; the presenter said the city will also work with Flint Group, a local PR firm, for outreach.

On cost and funding, the presenter gave a construction estimate of about $10,500,000 and an all-in total near $12.5 million after fees and contingencies. He said federal funds would cover about 38.9% of the project, special assessments about 37.6%, and the balance would come from various utility funds.

On special assessments, staff said assessments will follow the city's infrastructure funding policy. The transcript records the local portion for sanitary and service replacement as $46.38 per front foot (the wording is inconsistent in the record), trunk main assessment is recorded as 6¢ per square foot in one place and 8¢ per square foot in another, and storm sewer assessment as 12¢ per square foot. The presenter also said paving assessments are calculated per the same policy and that the total paving assessment would be about $2,300,000. Because the transcript contains differing numeric statements in a few places (noted above), those specific unit-rate figures should be verified with the city’s assessment coordinator before relying on them for billing or notice.

The presenter opened the meeting for questions and provided contact information for follow-up; the transcript lists the special assessment coordinator with the given name Doug (spelled both Durian and Durgan in the record).