Public Works Director Heather Thomas explained the details as she stepped forward to the podium, and according to documents included in the meeting packet, the estimated total cost for the base bid is $8.35 million between the city, county and Marshalltown Water Works with additional alternate bids for the Marshalltown Community School District (MCSD) Orpheum Welcome Center parking lot at just shy of $298,000 and the east west alley at an estimated cost of $46,277.80. Thomas said the project would include full street and sidewalk reconstruction from Center Street to 3rd Avenue and Center Street from State to Church with full replacement of water mains and storm sewer underneath the pavement.

It will also feature new streetscape amenities (some examples she shared were trash receptacles, bike racks, pavers, planter pots and a combination of in-ground planter beds with curves, seeding areas, standing tables and benches), lighting downtown and back-in angle parking on the south side of Main Street, the west side of Center Street and the east side of Center Street south of Main Street. They are also looking at a gateway arch on the east end of downtown, a nod to a previous arch that was located on 3rd Avenue.

Bids are due on March 4 and will be opened and considered at the March 10 council meeting. Thomas encouraged anyone who had not seen the recording of a previous meeting held with affected property owners last October to watch it, and she reviewed the timeline on the project. Construction on the first phase, which will cover Center Street from State to Church, is expected to begin in April and reopen by mid-August, and the second phase will begin once the first phase is opened back up with intentions to be done by the end of the year.

As she opened up the floor for questions, Councilor Melisa Fonseca asked about different colored areas on a provided graphic, and Thomas explained that they covered the alternate bids. City Administrator Carol Webb then thanked all of the entities involved in bringing the project to where it currently stands.

CONTRIBUTED GRAPHIC — A map shared as part of the agenda packet for Monday night’s Marshalltown city council meeting shows the first three phases of the Main Street reconstruction project. The council unanimously approved the plans, specifications, form of contract and cost opinion for the East Main/Center Street phase.

“I just want to say (that) the very brief presentation Heather has given doesn’t even scratch the surface of the amount of effort that’s gone into this project to this point. It’s been a great partnership with our consultant, with Heather, the school district, the Arts+Culture Alliance, the Chamber (and) the downtown business district, so a lot of work has gone into getting this project to this point,” Webb said.

Councilor Mark Mitchell, communicating remotely, asked about the angle parking on Center Street and how it would affect the Del Rio buses that come in there and park. Thomas responded that there would be parallel parking on the east side of Center Street between Main and State, while the southern portion of that block will be considered a loading and unloading zone for buses and semis.

A motion to officially approve plans, specifications, form of contract and cost opinions for the project then passed by a unanimous 7-0 tally.

In other business, the council:

• Approved the consent agenda as listed.

• Recognized Nate McDowell for five years of service to the streets department and Brad Rozell for five years with the Water Pollution Control Plant.

• Approved an extension of the lease agreement with the Central Iowa River Gun Club.

• Approved plans, specifications, form of contract and cost for the Water Pollution Control Plant sludge thickening project.

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.