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.
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