City of Oakdale proposes $6.3 million neighborhood street reconstruction, mostly city-funded

Brian Bachmeer, consulting city engineer for the City of Oakdale, presented a proposed $6,325,116 neighborhood street reconstruction that would replace pavement, repair utilities and add pedestrian improvements on Second Street, Third Street Court, Fourth Street, Grafton Avenue and Greenway Avenue.

The project scope, Bachmeer said, includes full removal and replacement of asphalt; curb and gutter replacement; water-main replacements on Second, Grafton, Fourth and Greenway; sanitary sewer sealing where groundwater is entering the system; storm-sewer repairs near catch basins; and the construction of a six-foot concrete sidewalk with a four-foot grass boulevard on the west side of Greenway from Hudson Boulevard to 7th Street. "The estimated cost of this project is 6,325,116," Bachmeer said.

Bachmeer stressed safety and long-term cost savings as central justifications. He said there is a clear relationship between pavement condition and safety for all users, and that many streets have reached a point—typically 28–30 years—where patching becomes far more expensive than full reconstruction. He also cited a documented history of utility failures: "There have been 28 total breaks in this area," he said, identifying concentrations on Second, Grafton and Fourth and noting none on Third Street Court.

The presentation described related non-pavement work: replacement of older light fixtures with LED units (most existing poles would remain), selective tree removals required for construction (about 15 trees along Greenway and roughly 27 across Second, Grafton, Third and Fourth, including about 10 ash trees susceptible to emerald ash borer), and coordination with private utilities including Excel, Lumen and Comcast to evaluate upgrades during construction.

On funding, Bachmeer said the City of Oakdale would finance about 86% of the total project cost; the remaining roughly 14%—totaling $910,315—would be recovered through special assessments on 164 benefiting parcels. He described the assessments as recorded loans spread over a 10-year period, with interest set at "2% above the rate the city pays on a bond sale" and interest accrual beginning in October 2025; property owners may prepay without interest until that date. "Special assessments cannot exceed the benefit to the property as determined by Minnesota case law," Bachmeer said.

Bachmeer presented examples illustrating how assessments are calculated using an $80-per-foot assessment rate multiplied by adjusted frontage; he advised residents the first installment would be collected with property taxes beginning in May 2026 unless owners prepay. He also described a deferral process for property owners who can demonstrate financial hardship and meet homestead criteria.

Construction sequencing would start with pavement reclamation and utility repairs, followed by curb and gutter work, base course paving and final surfacing. Contractors are expected to maintain access and mail delivery; typical work hours are 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday–Friday and limited Saturday hours. The presentation noted weekly resident updates and on-site city and consultant representatives.

Next procedural steps: consultants will prepare a feasibility report to be provided to the City Council (noted as scheduled for December 9 on the presentation), and a public improvement and assessment hearing will be held January 27, 2026, at which property owners may offer testimony and council will consider the project and assessments. "You will receive mailed notice of both of those hearings," Bachmeer said.

For follow-up, Bachmeer provided his email and identified himself as the consulting city engineer for the City of Oakdale.