Citizens hear lots of plans in Electric City

Most streets in Electric City could be in for some upgrades if the grants come through, a long-hoped-for waterfront trail should be built by late next summer, and the city’s corroding sewer pipes might be saved with a lining for over $1 million, a small group of citizens attending a meeting at the fire hall learned Tuesday night.

Trent Ward, of Century West Engineering, the city’s consultant, said the 8-foot-wide trail along SR-155 from Coulee Playland to North Dam Park will cost about $870,000, including a two-foot gravel pathway on each side of it, a pedestrian safety fence on the lake side, and a concrete curb and gutter on the highway side.

The city would pay $86,000 for the work, with the rest funded through a Federal Highway Administration grant for $584,000 and a state Bike/Pedestrian grant for $200,000.

Ward said the state Dept. of Transportation is in the process of reviewing and commenting on the final design. He expects to advertise for bids on the work by February 2024 and completion in late summer.

Another effect of adding the trail: the 45 mph speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph along that stretch of road.

Ward said most streets in town would be served by a plan to get them ready next year, with crack seal and pavement spot repairs, for possible chip sealing in 2025.

The work in 2024 will cost the city about $155,000 to get ready for that chip-sealing work. That term refers to a common kind of pavement maintenance that involves putting down a thick layer of oil and covering with crushed gravel that sinks in.

Two streets, Lincoln and Stevens avenues, need much more work, Ward said. Grant applications have also been applied for to rebuild those streets, which he said have severe drainage problems.

That news prompted two people to speak up about road drainage problems at their homes. Ward said he was aware the problem was common in the city.

The work to correct it on Lincoln and Stevens would cost $1.4 million and $1.1 million, for which separate grant applications have been submitted. The city should know if it’s been awarded the grants by Dec. 1.

A list of streets approved for seal coating in 2024 included Electric Boulevard, Electric Place, Gold, Lincoln McNett and Western avenues, Linda Lane, Snyder Hill Road, Sunset Drive, and Washington Place.

About 8,000 feet of concrete sewer main is corroding and must be “rehabilitated.” That will be done with a “cured in place liner” that can be installed with no ground disturbance and minimal service disruption and can last 50 years. The 8- and 12-inch-wide pipes, corroded from hydrogen sulfide accumulation, are 30 years old. The project is in its final design stage and has an estimated cost of $1,022,000. Funding would come through the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Rural Development bureau. An award is anticipated by May 2024.

A city park project, derailed after the last council election four years ago, is about to be resuscitated too, citizens heard.

Arrow Coyote is heading up the newly reformed park planning committee. Coyote said the committee wants to include features for all ages. A basketball and pickle ball court, a walkway for laps around the park, a toddler playground (using Grand Coulee’s new equipment as a template), and a covered picnic area. Secondary elements could include barbecues, picnic benches, trees and more.

“I’d really like to get this done next year,” Coyote said.

Mayor Diane Kohout said the park fund has about $100,000 in it, but she was sure fundraisers and volunteer effort will be needed.

“We want it to be a community park,” she said.

Birdie Hensley, a former city council member who is running for council currently, suggested considering asking if the unused tennis courts at North Dam Park might be repurposed for pickleball instead of taking up that space in Electric City’s relatively small park space behind the fire station.