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Council advances Railroad Avenue, Main Street sidewalk and pavement project toward bidding
Summary
After an improvement hearing and public comment, Isanti City Council directed staff to finalize plans and go to bid for Railroad Avenue pavement reclamation and an ADA-compliant sidewalk along a Main Street segment; estimated combined cost is about $590,000 with an estimated $68,000 assessable to property owners under current policy.
Isanti — At a public improvement hearing, council members voted to proceed toward bidding on a combined Railroad Avenue pavement reclamation and Main Street sidewalk-infill project after staff outlined the scope and posted cost estimates.
City staff member Jason Cook told the council the combined project is currently estimated at about $590,000 — roughly $517,000 for Railroad Avenue and $73,000 for the Main Street sidewalk — and that, under the city’s assessment policy, about $68,000 of the Railroad Avenue work would be assessable to property owners while the remainder would be paid by the city or state aid funds where eligible. Cook said utilities are generally in good condition and that minor curb adjustments and two hydrant moves may be required.
Stacy Upton, who identified herself as the owner of a vacant Main Street lot (she said she lives outside the city limits), spoke in support of the sidewalk but urged the council to reconsider a 100% assessment to her parcel when the project is built before it is developed. “I fully support the sidewalk and broader corridor improvements,” Upton told the council, “but deferral only addresses timing; it doesn't resolve whether the allocation reflects a fair share of the cost.”
Council members discussed making Main Street an alternate bid so the city can compare prices and potentially defer assessments for undeveloped commercial parcels until development occurs. The council moved and seconded a resolution to continue the project to the next procedural step — finalize plans, solicit bids and then return for an award and final assessment hearing — and the motion carried 4-0.
What happens next: staff will finalize plans and add the project to the April bid package; if bids are acceptable the council will consider awarding the contract and then hold a final assessment hearing with actual bid numbers.
