A preliminary plat for the Fairmeadows North subdivision extension was approved by the Newton City Council on Monday. The extension adds 23 new builder lots in the city, helping fill the new construction land shortage currently in the community.
“The entire subdivision process, when construction of new public improvements is involved, is broken down into two parts — the preliminary plat approval and the final plat approval,” city administrator Matt Muckler said.
First, the preliminary plat process essentially reviews and approves the basic layout of the subdivision, along with the public improvements such as streets and utilities Muckler said. Those public improvements are then built and once complete, then the final plat approval process can proceed, which results in actual saleable properties.
Council also approved a contract with Snyder and Associates Engineering Firm, who previously provided design services and subdivision platting for Fairmeadows North, to manage the construction of the public utilities and streets for the extension. The scope of work includes providing bidding assistance, a storm water pollution prevention plan and construction administration, observation and staking.
The cost of the new agreement is $63,100 and will be paid for using funds from the city’s Housing Initiative Infrastructure bond. Muckler said it a good practice to retain a design engineer for construction services to provide continuity on a project.
Also for the project, final plans and specifications for construction on the public infrastructure have been prepared by Snyder and Associates and are ready to be placed out to bid. The project includes earthwork, sanitary sewer mains, storm sewer intakes and pipe, pavement sub-drain and sump collection lines, water mains and service lines, granular sub-base, seven inch PC concrete pavement and erosion control work necessary for construction of the East 26th Street North, North Seventh Avenue East and North Seventh Avenue Place East street extensions.
The bidding process will open on Aug. 28 at 2 p.m. with the contract set to be awarded on Sept. 5.
“The engineer’s estimate of construction cost is $1.115 million, which includes an add-alternate incentive to meet an early completion date of Nov. 30,” Muckler said. “Without the add-alternate incentive for early completion, the completion date for the base bid project will be May 15, 2018.”
Funds from the House Initiative bond will be used to pay for the project.
Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com