March 19, 2024

Council to consider road reconstruction bids

$1.2M project slated for North Fourth Avenue West

Newton City Council will consider another major road work project on Tuesday.

North Fourth Avenue West between West Eight Street North and West 15th Street North recently went out to bid and is ready for the council’s decision on who will do the work.

The reconstruction will consist of a new concrete pavement that is 31 feet wide from the curb to curb, adding six feed to the existing street. The added width will allow for parking on the south side of the street.

New sidewalks will be constructed on both sides of the street. Currently there are no sidewalks on the street.

The Iowa Department of Transportation, which put the project out for bid, received five bids, the lowest coming from Manatts, Inc. of Brooklyn at just more than $1.2 million.

North Fourth Avenue West is a federal-aid classified road and qualified to receive Surface Transportation Programs funds in the amount of 80 percent of the project. The city is responsible for 20 percent of the project to be paid from the 2015 bond proceeds.

Two new projects for the Downtown Micro-Grant Program will also be presented to council on Tuesday. Applications were received from Marshall and Dusty Clements and Ed and Laurie Siddall for their properties in the downtown area.

The Clements requested funds for their property at 209 N. Second Ave. W. to remove the non-historic facade and take steps towards improving the aesthetics and functionality of the property.

The Siddalls are looking to replace the front door on their building at 302 First Ave. W. Both applications were approved by the Downtown Grant Review Board at its meeting on Tuesday.

The council will also looked to amend the downtown micro-grant program to include engineering services within the professional design service area of the program.

The regularly scheduled Monday meeting will move to Tuesday because of the Fourth of July holiday.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com