Coweta reports public-safety groundbreakings, water tower rehab, roadwork progress and completed sludge removal

City Manager Julie Casteen briefed the Coweta City Council on several capital projects at the Feb. 2 special meeting.

Casteen said the groundbreaking for the new police station is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, and the fire-station groundbreaking for Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, though both dates are subject to change because of weather. She told the council the Skyview Water Tower interior is being sandblasted: crews have completed the entire floor and bottom ring and are working on rings 2, 3 and 4 in sections roughly 40 feet wide. Cold weather and heavy snow forced a temporary pause; work resumed on Jan. 28.

Work on 257th E Avenue (Midway Road) has progressed to removing material from the northbound lane and shaping the ditch and street base, but contractors encountered significant groundwater seeping to the surface; Casteen said the site will be reevaluated once weather improves to determine necessary revisions for construction to continue.

Casteen reported sludge removal from the water-treatment-plant holding pond has been completed and testing at random locations confirmed acceptable removal levels. The next step is dam rehabilitation, which will involve trenching and installing a barrier to prevent leakage; that work is paused due to weather.

Casteen also reviewed the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group (OMAG) 2025 stewardship reports; no council action was taken on those reports at the meeting. Mayor Naomi Hogue and Vice Mayor Jeremy Barnett both praised city crews for their winter-storm response during the meeting.

Council did not take action on project dates or contract changes during the session; staff will return to council with updates as conditions change.