Committee backs sidewalk CIP amendment for Virgin Lake/Lakewoods area after ADA-related cost increases

The Finance Committee on June 9 recommended the Common Council approve a CIP amendment and contract with Concrete Creations of Wisconsin to continue the city’s sidewalk program in the Virgin Lake/Lakewoods neighborhood.

Staff said the project is in the second year of the citywide sidewalk program and that design work revealed extensive ADA curb-ramp issues, which required a full reconstruction of sidewalks in parts of the area. Staff also described tree-root conflicts and said their forester evaluated trees and recommended preserving them while severing roots and using appropriate base materials to avoid future damage. The combination of ADA-compliance work and the necessary tree-root work caused the project to come in over the initial CIP estimate (staff cited an initial CIP figure of about $150,000).

Committee members asked for a map of the work; staff said the work is north of Deeks and that contractors used better base material and correct root severing techniques to protect street trees. The committee moved, seconded and voted to recommend the contract award and CIP amendment to council.

Next step: Council consideration of the CIP amendment and contract; staff will finalize project maps and construction sequence and report back to the committee as needed.