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City to take Taylor Street bids directly to council; Chi Street, Cosmo wall and other street projects scheduled
Summary
The Board agreed by consensus to allow Taylor Street bids to proceed and be taken directly to the June 9 council meeting after a small LRIP grant award (about $42,000); Ache reported Chi Street work to begin in the second week of July and Bullock described sidewalk, track and retaining-wall work.
The Board of Public Works discussed several street projects on May 27, including timing for Taylor Street and Chi Street and progress on other capital and maintenance work.
The Street superintendent explained the Taylor Street project (from Grand Avenue to Champaign Street) and said the city was awarded "a little over $42,000 to go towards this project." Because grant and advertising timelines required early notification, the superintendent asked the Board for permission to take the bids and any award directly to the June 9 common council meeting rather than returning first to the Board of Public Works. Members agreed by consensus; one member noted that if the award comes from the mayor's office, members will be aware of the rationale.
City administrator and public works director Ache gave scheduling updates: Chi Street is expected to begin in the second week of July, with contractor Jake's Excavating (from Michigan) performing early work. Ache said Taylor Street likely will start in mid-August or, at the latest, early September, depending on bid timing. He said the timing aims to avoid interfering with nearby construction (the Zelich duplexes) and that the river project is seeking occupancy in mid-to-late October.
Street superintendent Bullock described summer maintenance: concrete sidewalk replacements, painting center lines (about halfway done), upcoming blacktop repairs next week, and the Cosmo retaining-wall capital project carried over from 2025. He said the Cosmo wall was nearly 12 feet high, had to be dug out for the contractor to pour a new concrete wall and was backfilled while tenants remained in the apartments below; photos of the work were included in the meeting packet.
What happens next: Bids for Taylor Street are due June 4; if the city proceeds as discussed, the award will go to the June 9 council meeting. Chi Street preparatory work will begin in July and other routine maintenance work will continue through the summer.
