Rochester council clears mini roundabout, street reconstruction and a $1.4M design amendment for 6th Avenue

The Rochester City Council on March 16 approved multiple public‑works actions: authorization to advertise bids for a mini roundabout at Fairway Drive and 65th Street NW, authorization to advertise reconstruction work on portions of Superior Drive NW and adjacent segments of 26th Street NW, and a $1.4 million contract amendment with Tool Design Group for the Reimagining 6th Avenue West project.

On the 65th Street mini roundabout (H1), staff said the construction estimate is $772,000 and engineering and related contingencies were in the roughly $150,000 range. Public‑works staff and traffic engineers framed the mini roundabout as a safety measure to reduce observed speeds and address sight‑line deficiencies. Council member Palmer opposed the authorization, calling the underlying engineering errors a reason to withhold support: “I would be voting no against this because, for me, it’s a it’s a goof up from the engineering company that started this. Now the neighborhood is going to have another traffic disruption,” Palmer said. Council approved advertising for bids by voice vote, recorded in the minutes as passing 5–1 with Palmer voting no.

For Superior Drive NW reconstruction (H2), staff explained the project is a hybrid preservation and reconstruction approach — not a full reconstruction that triggers special assessments — and said soil borings had been completed and subdrains are planned to improve pavement longevity. Public works noted that improved construction oversight and updated design standards informed the current plan. Council approved advertising for bids on the project unanimously.

On the Reimagining 6th Avenue West contract amendment (H3), the council considered a $1.4 million amendment to retain Tool Design Group for engineering services. Council member Palmer argued the contract should have been subject to a broader competitive bid process and declined to support the award, while staff said a staged RFP process with interviews had been used and that Tool Design was the recommended firm. The motion to approve passed (the meeting minutes record the motion as "Motion passes 5 2 1 with council member Palmer voting nay").

What happens next: staff will proceed with advertising for bids on the listed projects and will manage the Tool Design contract under the terms approved. Council members asked for continued oversight on construction sequencing to limit neighborhood disruption and to coordinate timing with school schedules.

Proper names and figures referenced on the record included the construction estimate for the 65th Street mini roundabout ($772,000) and engineering/contingency costs (about $150,000), and the Tool Design Group contract amendment amount ($1,400,000).