High Bids Limit Mendota Paving, Park Project

Bids to pave upper D Street, or “High Horseshoe” in Mendota came in higher than expected, steering the to approve a slightly thinner road surface for the project at their meeting Monday night. A storage shed planned for Veteran’s Park was abandoned due to the cost restraints.

The city has approximately $45,000 in money that needs to be spent, or a portion of the funds could be taken back by the county program.

Two bids were received; the lowest bid by Bituminous Roadways came in at $45,890.

Planners had projected the cost of paving the road to be in the range of $25,000-$35,000. Bonestroo has been retained to oversee engineering at a cost of $5,000. That would have left at least $10,000 to be used for construction of the city’s first official storage space and minor improvements at Veteran’s Park, such as a replacement of the surface fill.

To lower the cost, has agreed to install 2.5 inch-thick asphalt instead of 3-inch asphalt, according to Bonestroo engineer Phil Gravel. Bituminous is also waiving some of their fees. The final contract cost is $39,700.

Council members questioned if 2.5-inch asphalt would be thick enough to survive conditions on the road.

Gravel said that the solid base and the slope of the road are suitable for a lighter surface, though it will be more prone to cracking.

“I think it would take care of a lot of your issues up there, and it’s certainly better than what you have,” Gravel said.

The road can be built up if funds become available in the future.

The unpaved road’s condition is generally referred to as the worst in the city.

“Let’s get the project done, see where we’re at in the year and take corrective action if necessary,” said council member Alan Ralston.

The loss of any improvements to Veteran’s Park came as a disappointment. Parks Commissioner Joan Perron voted against the contract because it did not include any park improvements.

Some of needs to be replaced to appease the city’s insurance provider. The bedding has pulled away from the anchors of some of the equipment, according to resident Carl Robinette.

Mayor Brian Mielke suggested that a committee to identify and prioritize the park’s issues is needed for future investment.

The next cycle of CDBG grants begins in October, with applications due in December.