Maple Street project ‘in limbo’

What was initially hoped to begin after Creston’s Fourth of July celebration now appears could be in the middle of it during Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days.

The Creston Water Works board Tuesday approved the plans and specifications for the work to replace water mains and other related infrastructure in the 100 and 200 blocks of North Maple Street. The infrastructure is part of an overall plan to add housing and retail space in the 100 and 200 blocks.

But the project is still working through other issues.

“The city opted for brick on 200 block of Maple Street,” said Austin Smith, an engineer from Garden and Associates which designed the work. The State Historical Preservation is still reviewing that request of keeping the street a brick surface. A 30 day public comment period is part of the process.

“We are in limbo right now. We are shooting for 10th of August as a bid date,” Smith said. “If they don’t receive clearance we will be shoved back even further.”

Smith said it is possible to start the job in September.

“It will be an interesting fall, if and when we do get decent bids,” he said.

But work of that magnitude in September brings other issues.

“When you begin in September, there is not a lot of time to do necessary resurfacing,” he said. “The water main, I think we will get in and be OK.” Creston’s annual hot air balloon event is scheduled Sept. 16-18.

“But resurfacing in November and December, under 43 degree weather, is a pain especially doing brick work on top of concrete work.”

The bid is expected to state work be finished in 60 days. Smith said May 31, 2023, is final completion date as part of the grant funding.

“We have not been able to get a clear answer if that can be extended. There is no guarantee on it,” he said.

Inflated prices for materials and limited labor for construction companies, Smith said that could influence the bids.

“I assume that will drive the price up, not only on an odd bid letting, but material availability, contractor availability and weather.”

The plans and specifications for the project are complete. The board unanimously approved plans and specs only for bid purposes.

The bid amount will be critical to the schedule.

“You can reject the bids if they come in say $900,000,” said Creston Water Works General Manager Steve Guthrie. “If they come around $705,000 we will have discussion.”

In other water works news...

Guthrie said he is continuing to have mutual aid discussions with Southern Iowa Rural Water Association but conversations have included if a natural disaster damages both entities’ water treatment plants since they are adjacent to each other. SIRWA is constructing its water treatment plant east of Creston along U.S. Highway 34. The two groups have had discussions about backing each other up during emergencies.

An emergency plan would have Creston Water Works use Summit Lake as a water source for the city of Creston. The board approved the concept and for Guthrie to further research the needs to utilize Summit Lake for the city. Guthrie said water treatment devices for emergency use can be transported in a truck trailer.

The board approved transferring about $294,000 from a money market account to operational funding because of its ongoing, larger projects. The fund will still have $1 million balance.

The board approved a payment of $79,990 for improvements at 12 Mile Lake water plant. The board also approved paying $142,000 in property insurance premiums although $127,000 was budgeted.