SPP street project cost drops, more streets added

Talk about it

The cost of St. Paul Park’s proposed 2009 Street and Utility Improvement Project has dropped nearly half a million dollars, city council members were told Monday night.

As a result, city engineer Jeff Roos said the assessments to homeowners should drop to under $30 per linear foot — down from $40 — and three more streets will be added.

“The bidding was very competitive,” Roos said. “There was only a 2 percent difference from the next lowest bidder.”

The low bidder is Northwest Asphalt Inc., of Shakopee, according to Roos. “The Northwest bid — at $2.565 million — is very favorable to the city. It’s about $600,000 less than we projected.”

Following Roos’ recommendation, council members added three streets to the project. They are:

- Ashland Avenue from Pullman to 10th avenues;

- 11th Avenue from Laurel to Holley avenues; and

- 10th Avenue from Laurel to Holley avenues.

A neighborhood meeting for residents of the additional streets is scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, at city hall. Roos will explain details of the project and assessments to homeowners and answer questions.

Residents should receive official letters from Roos’ firm noting the time, date and place of the meeting.

A public hearing on the entire project plus the new streets is scheduled at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 4, at city hall. At 7 p.m., the council will hold a second public hearing on assessments to homeowners.

The council is expected to award the contract on May 4, said Kevin Walsh, city administrator. Construction is slated to begin in mid-June.

Tags: st paul park, street project, construction, assessments