By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
As summer’s heat rages on, Whitewater officials are taking advantage of the warm weather and tending to a series of infrastructure improvements throughout the city.
The Common Council on July 7 voted to move forward with four capital improvement projects that will be implemented during the second half of the summer. City staffers sought bidders for each of the projects.
While still in a preliminary phase, plans to resurface several streets are moving forward. The city has entered into a $97,000 contract with engineering firm Strand Associates to design several reconstruction projects, including Center Street, between Franklin and Summit streets; Boone Court; and Summit Street, between Conger and Highland streets.
The project Strand staffers are working on also includes the planned installation of a new storm sewer along portions of Boone Street, between Center and High streets.
A pair of community facilities — most notably, the aging Armory building downtown — are in the process of receiving some TLC.
The council backed a recommendation by Parks and Recreation Director Matt Amundson to enlist the services of Johnson Creek-based Pioneer Roofing. The company will replace the Armory’s roof at a cost of $49,225, in addition to a community building at Starin Park for $37,807.
The municipal wastewater treatment plant, which is subject to an extensive overhaul in the near future, is receiving one immediate fix. The city has granted J.F. Ahren a $70,000 contract to address a technical device known as a primary clarifier.
“The Wastewater Utility is having problems with leaking gearboxes that rotate our primary clarifiers,” Wastewater Superintendent Tim Reel wrote in a memo. “In addition, elevation variations with associated devices require verification and adjustment so all features of the process work together properly.”
The final project taken up recently does not involve city funds, but could impact residents, businesses and commuters.
Portions of Janesville Street are subject to closure for a period of time, Streets Superintendent Chuck Nass said, because of a railroad reconstruction project.
