Council makes advances on Newton subdivision

A Carlisle construction company has been selected to complete infrastructure work at the Fairmeadows North extension. A public hearing was held and the Newton City Council approved Sandstone Management for $892,370 out of six bids received at its Tuesday meeting.

“When is the last time we put together a subdivision of this size,” councilman Craig Trotter said. “This is a milestone, this is fantastic.”

Located in the 700 bock of East 26th Street North, the city has entered into an agreement along with the Newton Housing Development Corporation to purchase the 7.3 acres of land and develop it into a 23-lot residential subdivision. The development extension is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to increase new housing in Newton through the Housing Initiative established in 2013.

The engineering firm of Snyder and Associates previously prepared plans and specifications for the subdivision platting for Fairmeadows North Plat 8 construction project. The project includes earthwork, sanitary sewer mains, storm sewer intakes and pipe, pavement subdrain and sump collection lines, water mains and service lines, granular subbase, 7-inch PC concrete pavement, erosion control work and related items.

Two add alternates were also sent out to bid, one for fly ash stabilization of the soil base and the second for early completion of the project. After receiving bids, the city determined the fly ash stabilization was not needed for the project.

The city did decide to accept the second alternative to move up the completion date for an additional $65,000. The original projected completion date for the base project was set for May 15, 2018, but with the added incentive, it has been moved up almost six months to Nov. 30.

To facilitate the work, the city also approved the acquisition of 1.78 acres of land in the right-of way for the extension of North Seventh Avenue Place East, North Seventh Avenue East and East 26th Street North for a temporary construction easement into Fairmeadows North Plat 8. The addition will provide access for construction of road improvements and the grading of the lots and will be owned by NHDC with no direct costs to the city.

In other business:

• The property at 1312 E. Sixth St. S. was approved for purchase at $4,500 in the dangerous and dilapidated program.

• Chantelle Lundberg was appointed to the Newton Community Marketing Board.

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