THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

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Downtown Sidewalk Upgrades?

For years, Ald. Pat Beauvais (1st) and others have complained about problems with the shifting of brick pavers in place along downtown sidewalks. Over time, poor weather conditions and normal wear and tear cause the bricks to settle down, pop up and shift in other directions creating potentially dangerous situations where people can trip and injure themselves.

City Council members next Monday night are expected to take corrective action when they consider approving spending as much as $100,000 to repair the damage.

After review of five bids from 12 vendors, Public Works Director Matt Dusckett is recommending that the low bid of Copenhaver Construction, Inc. of Gilberts be accepted. The bid includes unit prices for cleaning and sealing, resetting, new installation, base preparation and other repair work. A total of $100,000 has been budgeted for this project. Funding will come from the city's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) No. 1 Dist. Sidewalk sections in the downtown area earmarked for the work include Ellinwood Street from Graceland Avenue to Lee Street; Ellinwood Street from Pearson Street to River Road; Miner Street from Graceland Avenue to River Road; and Lee Street from Prairie Avenue to Jefferson Street.

If approval is given work is expected this summer.