Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves $167,600 design task order for West School Street reconstruction
Summary
The committee approved a $167,600 task order with Rucker Milke to design a major 2026 reconstruction of West School Street, including full road, storm, water and sanitary replacements, archaeological permitting and public outreach; staff will seek grant funding for roughly $450,000.
The Committee of the Whole authorized design work on the West School Street reconstruction project Aug. 19, approving Task Order 2025-05 with Rucker Milke for $167,600 to prepare design and bidding documents for a roughly seven-block, full-reconstruction project.
Matt, presenting the plan, said the School Street project is a multi-million-dollar CIP priority and that the task order will put the city in position to bid in early 2026. "This is design work to make sure that we're moving forward effectively, efficiently to be in a position for being able to bid this early in 2026," Matt said. He noted the project includes new street and sidewalks, driveway aprons, added storm sewer capacity, upsized water main and new hydrants, and replacement of clay sanitary sewers to reduce infiltration.
Jason, the consulting engineer on the task order, explained the corridor is about seven blocks from Park Avenue to Hibbert Street and described unique elements of the scope: lead service replacements in the public right-of-way where found, utility upgrades, two planned public informational meetings, and an archaeological review because the corridor impacts previously disturbed Native American burial areas and will require permitting. "There is some impact to some Native American burial areas along this corridor," Jason said, noting permitting and investigation will be part of the task order.
Staff also said the city will apply for a grant (described in the presentation as an LRIP application in October) that could provide about $450,000 toward the overall project if awarded. Councilors pressed for police and fire input on safety near the middle school and for accurate mapping in presentation materials; staff agreed to coordinate with public-safety chiefs and correct the maps.
The council approved the task order (roll call recorded). Staff will proceed with design, public outreach and grant applications, and return with bid-ready documents and schedule milestones.
