By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Most of the capital improvement projects earmarked in Whitewater’s 2015 budget will proceed, as planned, city officials announced recently. But a few items will be held over into future years.
Assistant City Manager Chris McDonell provided the Common Council with a progress report at a meeting June 16.
One of the most notable postponements is the oft-discussed reconstruction project along George Street. A higher-than-anticipated dollar figure after a routine bidding exercise prompted city officials to push the project into next year.
Taking a longer view, the council also discussed with city staff some of the road projects planned in upcoming years. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is a partner in some of those efforts.
With unknowns still blanketing Gov. Scott Walker’s 2015-17 biennium budget, City Manager Cameron Clapper said, “We might change our order of street projects in upcoming years.”
In other recent business, the council:
- Awarded Whitewater-based R. R. Walton a $299,822 contract to construct water detention basins in several sections of the city, including Bloomingfield Acres, East Clay Street and James Street.
Fifty percent of the work is being covered by grant dollars, Assistant City Manager Chris McDonell said.
- Approved upgrades to the city-owned armory building that will be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Engineering firm Strand Associates has created designs for a handicap-accessible ramp and a new set of stairs to the building. Strand representatives now have the green light to seek bids for construction of the project.
- Awarded a $22,306 contract to Riedl and Son to replace siding on the Starin Park Community Building. The work is expected to take place this summer.
