Managing editor
Wanting to make sure there weren’t any delays, community volunteer Todd Heitschmidt reminded Marion City Council members Monday evening that decisions needed to be made in the coming weeks regarding improvements at Central/Brooker Park, downtown Marion.
Underground electrical lines will replace overhead lines, thus eliminating some poles and improving the appearance of the park.
When electrical lines are replaced, some sidewalks will be removed and replaced with wider, 6-foot concrete walkways. The wider sidewalk will be advantageous during Art in the Park. The current 4-foot sidewalk is too narrow when two people meet, causing one person to step off the sidewalk.
Are 6-inch thick sidewalks necessary? City Street Superintendent Marty Fredrickson said there are some 6-inch thick sidewalks at the city’s baseball complex where city equipment trucks drive. The same could be done in the park. The remainder of the sidewalks could be 4 inches thick.
A handicap ramp at the far west entrance to the park will also be included in the project.
The plan is to complete the project before spring and summer activities begin.
Street projects
Bids were reviewed Nov. 18 for city projects including sidewalk construction for the Safe Routes to School project, mill and overlay of East Main Street, and the same for North Cedar Street.
When the bids for Main Street and North Cedar Street were added together, APAC Kansas Shears Division had the lowest combined bid of about $265,000. Schilling Construction also presented bids.
The sidewalk project had a high bid of $362,011 and low bid of $148,000, which was by Hett Construction of Marion.
The project on East Main Street is part of Kansas Department of Transportation’s program where the state pays 75 percent and the city pays 25 percent of construction plus 25 percent of a $29,000 inspection fee.
Improvements are set for next year.
Elementary school basketball begins
Marion Recreation Commission Director Margo Yates reported there would be 39 teams from nine communities playing 115 regular season games. A postseason tournament is also planned.
In other business:
- The council entered into a closed session for 15 minutes with Economic Development Director Doug Kjellin and Administrator David Mayfield to discuss industrial park incentives.
The next council meeting will be at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 14 in the city building.