Lindstrom council clears Park Street parking‑lot plans and directs aesthetic upgrades

A majority of the Lindstrom City Council on March 19 approved the city’s plans and specifications and authorized staff to advertise bids for the Park Street parking‑lot and related street, storm‑sewer and water‑main work scheduled for 2025.

Brian (S8), the city’s project lead, told the council the package includes two bid alternatives — added drainage improvements and a choice between stamped/colored concrete or pavers in the plaza — and set a bid opening for April 10 with contract consideration on April 16. “The bid opening is scheduled for April 10 at 09:00 in the morning,” Brian said during his presentation.

After the contract‑level presentation, the council held an extended aesthetics review led by consultant Bruce of Tualatin Collaborate. Bruce laid out four focus areas — a bakery plaza, a northwest corner island, frontage treatments and trash enclosures — and showed images of fencing, pavement patterns and catenary lighting to create a more pedestrian‑friendly downtown. “We have about 2 feet of space between the sidewalk and the back of the curb,” Bruce cautioned, noting that in many areas the team recommends carving planting beds into the public sidewalk to create the depth needed for trees and more durable plantings.

Council members raised questions about trade‑offs that would affect parking and storm infrastructure. Several members supported trading a couple of stalls to create a stronger pedestrian entrance into the plaza; others emphasized vehicle sightlines, snow‑plow operations and long‑term maintenance. The council discussed using locally made fence panels or student projects for some decorative elements and involving local artists for painted pavement and murals.

City staff told council members the April bid window is tight and recommended using change orders or phased work to incorporate structural changes (curb/sidewalk realignment and catch‑basin relocation) while deferring purely aesthetic items (artwork, painted surface treatments) until after award. That approach would allow the city to keep the scheduled procurement while still delivering the most critical pedestrian and planting improvements.

The council reached consensus to incorporate several of the consultant’s recommended planting‑bed relocations and the plaza extension into the project documents where practicable and to move forward with bidding. Staff said they will return with firm cost estimates and any required change‑order language during contract negotiation.

Next steps: Staff will finalize bid documents, include the council’s direction where feasible, open bids April 10, and return to council for contract award consideration on April 16.