Phase 2B Begins Today

Eyes on Main Street - June 10, 2013 

Kristin Kammueller, the MnDOT District 6, Community Relations/Public Affairs Coordinator is sending weekly emails to those involved in the marketing of Spring Grove during the construction. These emails will also be posted on this blog.  On Friday she sent the following recap:

• Highway 44 is closed with detour for through traffic on Highway 76, Highway 16 and Highway 43 and local traffic is detoured onto 1st Street SW
• Milled asphalt surface in town from 1st Avenue South SW to Division Avenue
• Removing concrete pavement under the asphalt
• Removing contaminated material and hauling offsite
• Began installing temporary water services to downtown residents/businesses.

 Next Week in Spring Grove:

•  Hook up temporary water services
• Begin watermain and sanitary sewer replacement between 1st Avenue SW and Division Avenue

 Highway 44 from Spring Grove to Highway 52:

• Work scheduled to begin on June 24th

Today she sent the following: "The Phase 2B detour route is going into effect today, June 10. The detour route is attached. The Fire Department has relocated to the City Shop. Because of the move, underground work will begin at  the intersection of Highway 44 and 1^st Ave. SW."

Here are some photos from this last week!

Main Street Construction Begins June 3

Eyes on Main Street - June 4, 2013

The construction has begun with phase 1. If you want to watch, the webcam at the Spring Grove Communications is a perfect opportunity. It can be accessed at http://yourlocal.coop/SGC/Main_Street.html. 

There was a lot of discussion at the council meeting about the detours and making sure all the street lights are working and no parking signs are installed to make them safer.

Here are some recent photos of main street. 

 And here are some photos from yesterday, June 3.

MnDOT and Mathy Open House for Main Street with Detours

Eyes on Main Street - May 30, 2013

Representatives from MnDOT, WHKS, and Mathy were present to discuss the main street reconstruction. The plan is to begin on Monday, June 2 with phase 1. I (Saundy) was at the meeting and want to make sure everyone knows what is going on. 

I talked to several people including Jeffrey Bunch - MnDOT District 6 Project Manager, Andy Marinelli - Mathy Project Manager, Steve Pierce - Mathy Onsite Manager. and Tim Hruska - city engineer from WHKS. A lot of information was shared, however only a few people were there. The main thing I learned was the detours. I took pictures of the detours; however, they were unclear so I located plans from when I was Mayor and most detours did not change a whole lot, so I am attaching those plans below. 

Their goal is to have the utility portion completed by the end of August with the street open with no detour by mid September. However, construction will still be happening including lane closures as the final layers are place. The final completion goal is in October. Each section will begin with the removal of the roadway. The next step is removal of the sidewalk with new sidewalk being created as soon as possible. There will be a weekly closed construction meeting, however, Kristin Kammueller, MnDOT Community Liaison, will keep the public informed. Also remember to talk to your council members to find out information and to encourage them to share with the public. 

The four phases include the following:

Phase 1 - Ivy Grove/Legion to the middle of the Fire Hall
Phase 2 - Middle of Fire Hall to edge of Marv's
Phase 3 - Ivy Grove/Legion to Roble's Funeral Home
Phase 4 - Division Intersection and Maple Drive

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 2 A

Phase 2 B

Phase 3

Phase 4

May 22 - City Council Recap

Eyes on Main Street - May 22, 2013

There is a preconstruction meeting this Friday that Paul Morken and Robert Vogel are attending in Winona. The projected project start date is June 3. The public open house with MnDOT and Mathy is in room 103 at Spring Grove Communications on Wednesday, May 29, 5-7:00 pm. This room is at the end of the hall using the library entrance

Mike Bubany, David Drown Associates, discussed the General Obligation Bonds for the Main Street Project. "Combining the impact of the increased taxes and utilities, the average home will be impacted by approximately  $25.15 per month. We had projected between $20-$30 per month in earlier meetings, so we are right on target under today's interest rate market. This amount is subject to change if interest rates rise or fall before the sale date."

Interest rates went up slightly this week making it $25.60 per month.

David Drown Associates, Inc. recommends the bonds be sold through a competitive process to ensure the lowest overall cost of borrowing. Key elements of financing would be:

• February 1, 2034 final maturity.
• Callable anytime after 2/1/2021 at par plus accrued interest.
• Offer up to 1.25% discount allowance.
• Standards and Poor's Rating.
• Full Continuing Disclosure.

The council passed the resolution to issue the bond. On June 18 the Sale of the Bond Issue begins with closing on or around July 8, 2013. The first Bond payment will be due February 2014.

There is currently $150,000 left in the contingency fund for the project.

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Construction Update - May 29 from 5-7 at Spring Grove Communications room 103

Eyes on Main Street - May 20, 2013

The following news release just arrived, make sure to attend!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following was sent to media in Fillmore, Houston, and Winona counties and Wisconsin, State Patrol and the Houston County engineer.

Public meeting about Highway 44 construction project in Houston County set for May 29

ROCHESTER, Minn. – The public is invited to learn more about the Highway 44 resurfacing project from Spring Grove to Highway 52 and the reconstruction project in Spring Grove at an open house Wednesday, May 29.

                                            

The open house is scheduled for 5 - 7 p.m., at Spring Grove Communications, 166 West Main St., Spring Grove, Minn.

Representatives from the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Mathy Construction, will be available to answer questions and provide information on the construction schedule.

To request an ASL or foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, call Janet Miller at 651-366-4720 or 1-800-657-3774 (Greater Minnesota); 711 or 1-800-627-3529 (Minnesota Relay). Alternatively, send an email to janet.rae.miller@state.mn.us. Please request at least one week in advance.

Happy Syttende Mai

Eyes on Main Street - May 17

Happy Syttende Mai - enjoy your weekend.

There is not much new to report. The only main street item mentioned at the last council meeting was that there was no update. It sounds like construction will not begin on May 20 unless something changes. The next council meeting is on May 21 and Mike Bubany will present on the bonding. Hopefully more information on construction will be heard at this meeting. 

I am going back and adding this photo taken right after the parade during our Syttende Mai celebration.

Taken from a boom truck by Kathrine Myrah after the Syttende Mai parade on May 18, 2013. 

Next Council Meeting is on May 7

Eyes on Main Street - May 3, 2013

There is a council meeting next Tuesday, May 7 and the main street project is not on the agenda. However, I would think the topic will be discussed since construction is supposed to start this month (unless the snow continues). It is important to continue to attend council meetings. As we hear more updates, we will let you know. Also if you have any photos to share, please share them with us. You can email us at sgmainstreetproject@gmail.com.