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Goodland officials consider $6.8–$7.5 million rebuild of 8th Street and bonding to finance project
Summary
City staff presented two designs for a multi-block reconstruction of 8th Street: a 36-foot option (~$6.84 million) with sidewalks both sides and a wider 45–50-foot option (~$7.5 million) that would provide more room for beautification. Commissioners signaled support for bonding the full project and asked staff for visuals and next steps.
City of Goodland staff on Monday outlined plans and cost estimates to reconstruct 8th Street across multiple blocks, and commissioners signaled support for pursuing bonded financing to complete the work in one contract rather than staging repeated construction over multiple years.
Andrew Bruner, who prepared the estimate, told the commission there are two principal approaches: rebuild to match the existing wider width (roughly 45–50 feet) or reconstruct to a narrower 36-foot cross-section. The wider option is roughly $7.5 million; the narrower alternative is about $6.84 million. Both estimates include sidewalks on both sides and curb ramps at intersections and assume concrete pavement for the primary costs presented to the commission.
The narrower profile would free up right-of-way to add green space along both sides, Bruner said, while the wider option offers more space for medians or center-turn lanes and potential beautification. Staff emphasized a critical water-main relocation in the west portion of the project (between Cattle Trail and Kansas) that should be addressed so a new street is not undermined by later pipeline work.
Commissioners discussed stormwater management at the 8th/Main intersection, pedestrian connectivity, snow-removal implications for a narrower cross-section, driveway transitions, and tree and landscaping impacts. Several commissioners expressed a preference to bond the full project so the corridor would not remain a “rolling” construction zone for visitors and residents. City staff noted the recent sales-tax revenue stream established for capital projects could be used to support a bond repayment schedule, and the estimates currently include a 5% contingency.
Mayor and commissioners asked staff to return with ground-level visuals and more granular design options for the commission to decide on target cross-sections and whether to include features such as center-turn lanes or medians. Staff said design and bonding conversations would follow and construction would not likely begin until at least the following year.
Next steps: staff will provide visualizations of the alternate cross-sections, continue discussions with the bond attorney about structure and timing, and refine cost details and potential add/drop bid items for commissioner review at a future meeting.
