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New sidewalks are currently not part of the plans for Gaylord’s street and utility reconstruction project expected to begin in April, 2007.

That was the message delivered to approximately 15 people who attended a neighborhood meeting Initiation/Kickoff meeting Thursday at City Hall.

City officials and Short Elliot Hendrickson Inc. (SEH) hosted the meeting for property owners who will benefit from Section 1 of project. Section 1 includes street/utility improvements on First and Second street, Columbia Avenue, Franklin Avenue, Jefferson Avenue and High Avenue (east of Third Street).

During the hour long meeting, Christopher Cavett of SEH described the scope of the project. He also provided cost estimates and a project timeline.

According to City Administrator Lonny Johnson, one of the primary concerns was the installation of sidewalks. No new sidewalks are planned, Johnson said. But, the City will restore sidewalks that are destroyed during reconstruction of the streets and utilities.

Last month, Doug Parrott of SEH provided the City Council with a schedule for a larger street and utility improvement project estimated to cost $6.4 million.

Parrott described this project as “massive” and therefore it was broken down into the following sections.

SECTION 1

SEH is referring to Section 1 as the “heart of the city” portion. Construction for Section 1, estimated to cost $4.3 million, is scheduled to begin in April of next year.

A public improvement hearing to authorize plans and specifications for Section 1 is planned for December 11th.

SECTION 2

SEH is referring to Section 2 as the “ball park” portion of the project. It will include street and utility improvements near the City park on the following: Park Drive, Veterans Drive, Fourth Street (north of Park Avenue), Fifth Street (north of Lincoln Avenue) and Linden Avenue. This portion of the project is estimated to cost $1.4 million.

According to Parrott, construction for Section 2 is not scheduled to begin until August 20th. This will enable the City to conduct its Eggstravaganza activities without too many inconveniences, he explained.

A neighborhood Initiation/Kickoff meeting (for Section 2) is scheduled for Wednesday, November 29th at City Hall. A public improvement hearing to authorize plans and specifications is planned for January 31st.

SECTION 3

Section 3 of the project will consist of street/utility improvements to County-State Aid 21/Lincoln Avenue. SEH is recommending that the City delay this work until 2008.

According to Parrott, the area disrupted by contractors would be too large if the City completes all three sections of the project in one year.

Also, section 3 now includes significant additions of storm sewer (to drain storm water into the storm water pond and not Lake Titloe). This work requires approvals and permitting and, according to Parrott, there is not enough time to complete this process in 2007.

Section 3 is estimated to cost $717,000, according to Parrott. Approximately half of the work will be paid for by Sibley County, he reported.