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Main Street funding approved

Downtown Waupaca project begins March 29

By Angie Landsverk


The Waupaca Common Council approved borrowing $1 million in General Obligation bonds for the reconstruction of four blocks of Main Street when it met on March 16.

The council also approved funding of $375,000 from the 2020 Sewer Revenue Bonds and $475,000 from the 2020 Water Revenue Bonds for the project.

It addition, it approved a contract with Short Elliot Hendrickson Inc. (SEH) for an amount not to exceed $93,950.

The firm will provide oversight during the water and sewer installation, as well as during the electrical upgrade.

All three motions were 9-0 votes with Ald. Steve Hackett absent.

“We need authorization for all borrowed funds,” Director Public Works Justin Berrens told the council prior to its votes.

The project – from Badger to Water streets – is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 29.

The intersection of Main and Fulton streets is set to be closed that day through Wednesday, March 31, for preliminary work.

It then reopens Thursday, April 1, with the street closing from just north of the intersection to Water Street for the first phase of the project.

People who live, work or visit places on this section of Main Street are encouraged to use the city’s parking lots on Granite and Cooper streets.

The first phase of the project is scheduled to be completed in July.
Work then switches to the section from Fulton to Badger streets, with completion scheduled by around the end of October.

Funding

The reconstruction of Main Street is a Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) funded project.

Therefore, the DOT handled the bidding process.

The department received eight bids last November, ranging from Gerke Excavating’s low bid of $3.09 million to James Peterson Sons’ high bid of $3.9 million.

The DOT awarded the bid to Gerke Excavating.

Berrens said the company is a DOT approved qualified bidder.

The DOT has high standards for those who work on its projects, which means the company is highly qualified, he said.

The city budgeted $3.7 million for the project.

After the bidding process, the budget came in at $3.5 million.

The city anticipated receiving about $1.7 million in DOT funding and is receiving about $1.9 million.

Berrens said the DOT will provide oversight for the roadway portion of the project.

The city needs to provide oversight for the sewer and water installation, and electrical upgrade.

That is why Berrens recommended the city contract with SEH for that work.

Noting the size of the project, he said the city’s Public Works staff will appreciate the assistance.

The $93,950 approved by the council for the oversight is included in the $1 million borrow.

Berrens explained the electrical upgrade portion of the project to the council.

It will provide additional conduit and wiring to accommodate security cameras and speakers in the downtown area.

This is also included in the $1 million borrow.

Donor funds of approximately $25,000 will cover the cost of the speakers.

Berrens told the council the speakers will be used for special events, announcements and around holidays.

He also requested a 20% contingency based on the bid savings and project scope.

That is part of the $1 million borrow as well.

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