A pair of construction projects were approved by the Galesburg City Council Monday night.
The City Council in April had considered replacing a larger portion of the storm sewer, however, the bids came back far over budget and the scope of the project was reduced.
The new section is considered in the worst condition based on information collected during inspections and includes replacing a section that has now collapsed twice near a residence.
Director of Public Works Wayne Carl told the council that most of the funding to replace the storm sewer would come from a state grant.
“A State o Illinois Rebuild grant that is going to fund $300,000 that the city was awarded last year through [State Senator Jil Tracy’s] efforts. The remaining $194,669.66 will be paid for from the stormwater utility fund.”
Carl says that the project is anticipated to start at the end of the summer but there are some material delays with some of the pipes.
Aldermen also approved a bid from Laverdiere Construction for the construction of a parking lot at the corner of Seminary and Mulberry streets.
The city purchased the lot in 2021 and currently it is unpaved gravel. The bid from Laverdiere came to $186,647.
Carl says that the original scope of the project was to use asphalt for the construction but with asphalt prices high, they revised the scope to concrete.
“The scope of the project is to construct a new parking lot on the northeast corner of that intersection. Two bids were received. The low bid was in the amount of $211,306, originally. And, that was much higher than originally estimated. So, city staff worked with the low bidder and was able to reduce the cost.”
Carl says that by switching to concrete pavement, they were able to reduce the cost of the project while also increasing the life expectancy of the parking lot.
Additionally, there will be landscaping added as part of the cost to keep the aesthetics of the downtown parking lots.
