Ainsworth halts sand‑blasting on South Main Street after council criticizes project oversight

The Ainsworth City Council voted to stop further sand‑blasting on South Main Street after members raised concerns about the appearance, durability and project oversight. Councilors said the sand‑blasted section exposed aggregate unevenly and may require resealing, creating recurring maintenance costs.

Council members described the finished surface as visually inconsistent and said parts of the decorative concrete were overly abraded. One councilor said Olsson Associates’ oversight had been “very disappointing” and that communication among the state, consultant and contractor had been lacking. The council voted to halt further sand‑blasting work and directed staff to coordinate next steps, including whether the exposed areas should be resealed or otherwise remediated.

The disputed sand‑blasting was part of a broader South Main Street design that originally incorporated new trees and landscaping. Council members said earlier changes to the landscaping and bid process left the exposed sand‑blasted segments looking unfinished without the planned plantings. Staff and councilors discussed the original design intent and whether contractors followed specifications; the council’s discussion named Olsson Associates as the project consultant but did not assign a formal penalty.

Staff said they had asked the Department of Roads to pause work pending the council meeting. The council’s action stops further sand‑blasting while staff and engineers evaluate remedies and the contract oversight record. No additional funds or formal contractual actions were authorized at the meeting.

Next steps: staff will report back with options for remediation, any estimated costs to seal or replace affected sections, and documentation from project consultants for council review.