With about $650,000 in funds available, plans are moving forward for a Main Street project that will include a center turning lane.
City Engineer Mickey Bittner of Wightman & Associates told Wayland City Council members Monday night that he hopes to have the widening project take bids as early as January or February 2023. The repaving would be from as far south as 133rd Avenue on South Main to as far north as Maple Street, one block north of the four corners downtown. The widening for two 12-foot-wide lanes and a center lane of 13 feet would be concentrated from Sycamore to Maple.
Unfortunately, Bittner noted, the cost has skyrocketed in the last year, perhaps as much as $2 million. The funding will be from the city and a pool of state and federal sources.
Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Antel said many local residents want to see paving done instead on Park Street, but “That’s a different set of money, for local roads.”
City Manager Josh Eggleston added that state and federal funds for major streets such as Main, Superior and Reno Drive have much larger amounts available.
In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the City Council:
• Was told that DDA Director Teryl Shields and City Police officer Mark Riemersma are leaving their posts.
Shields’ last day was Friday. She had been director since May 2020.
Riemersma, who has won a number of honors and accolades for his use of the Internet in solving crimes, will leave for what Police Chief Mark Garnsey said was “a lucrative offer.”
• Tabled a proposal for a parade May 21 down Superior Street to the park by participants in the youth baseball and softball programs. More information is needed about parking considerations.
• Agreed to let out bids for window trim repair work at City Hall.
What a waste of money. Sycamore Street the only crossroad, only one block long to the east, not a high traffic area. Hanlon Court one block long to the east, not a high traffic area. Pine Street one block long to the west, not a high traffic area. Thirty-seven feet of road means no parking along the road up town. Bet that makes business owners happy.
Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Antel states this is a different set of money. Do they seek funds for the common tax payer?
I concur, just take a look at all the streets that have been worked on over the last several years. Cedar, Hanlon, 133rd, discovery and others all they were was a face lift and made to look pretty, ever one of them is cracked and will only last for a few years. I couldn’t help but noticed that the cost is going to be more but I’m sure the city engineer and his company will get their share. I’ve said this before it’s time to find a new city engineer because this guy is just cashing in on the city and definitely his recommendation aren’t holding up. So hopefully if these next project are done they’ll be done right and not just made to look pretty.