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NORMAL — Work is slated to begin next year on an almost $4 million water main replacement project along Main Street in Normal.
The town council on Monday unanimously approved the project bid awarded to George Gildner Inc. of Bloomington for $3,942,980. Trustee Stan Nord was absent.
The project will replace older sections of the main beneath Main Street from Division to Virginia streets and from Beaufort Street to College Avenue, where 4,920 feet of substandard cast iron water mains are negatively affecting residents’ water quality, officials said.
According to council documents, the existing 4- and 8-inch cast iron water mains — which are some of the oldest water mains in town — will be replaced with new 12- and 8-inch ductile iron water mains with new valves, hydrants and water services.
Bids for the project were opened Aug. 30 and the town received two separate bids, including one from Stark Excavating Inc. for $3,960,500.
Although Gildner’s bid was the lowest, the town’s water fund allocated just $2,540,000 for water main replacements; to complete the project, a budget adjustment of $1,402,980 will be needed.
City Manager Pamela Reece said bids came in higher than expected but the town will move forward since a portion of the project is within the Main & Osage Tax Increment Financing District, and officials anticipate roughly $1.9 million could be allocated to the water fund to support this project.
Any funds that are leftover will remain in the tax increment financing district and could be used for future project, Reece said.
According to council documents, the Illinois Department of Transportation also has a five-year capital plan for road improvement on Main Street, so it is important for the town to proceed with the project before IDOT starts its own.
The project is expected to start in September 2023 after materials are delivered and extend into 2024.
Residents and business could be impacted by the project. Commuters who travel through this section of Main Street may experience delays with one lane of traffic closed in the construction area.
Aside from flaggers on site to temporarily stop traffic for workers to enter and leave the sit, the town is not expecting any full road closures or detours.
Also on Monday, the town council approved an ordinance rezoning acres at the southeast corner of Parkside and Raab roads, where the Lofts at Northend are located.
The 3-arce lot will change from a general business (B-1) to a medium-density multifamily residential (R-3A) designation and would allow for multifamily residential housing or duplexes to be developed.
Approved in 2016, the Lofts at Northend comprises 6.14 acres of multifamily residential developments at the southwest corner of Raab Road and Trumbull Avenue, according to council documents.
The property was originally zoned for commercial development and has since remained vacant.
The property is an undeveloped part of the Heartland Community College campus and provides adequate utilities and transportation facilities as well as public services. Constitution Trail is also available east of the property.
Other business during Monday’s meeting includes:
Reported to receive and file the town’s expenditures for payment as of Sept. 14;
Approved the final plat for the fourth addition to Blackstone Trails at the northeast corner of Hershey and Shepard roads;
Approved the final plat for the fifth addition to Blackstone Trails at the northeast corner of Hershey and Shepard roads.
Dump trucks and dozers are a kid’s play dream. Hundreds of little ones from in and around McLean County got to experience the real life-sized deal Saturday for the 18th “Day of the Dozer” at the McLean County Fairgrounds. Heavy machinery of all kinds were on display and open for visitors to explore.
Shiela Harris, Bloomington-Normal NAACP membership chair, at the 2022 NAACP Gala Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Parke Regency Hotel in Bloomington.
Willie Holton Halbert, right, and Ryleigh Rose Beauvlien at the 2022 NAACP Gala Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Parke Regency Hotel in Bloomington.
Linda Foster, president of the Bloomington-Normal NAACP, and Tyanez Jones at the 2022 NAACP Gala Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Parke Regency Hotel in Bloomington.
Members of the Bloomington Police Department, from left to right, Kerri Johnson, Chief Jamal Simington, Sgt. Kiel Nowers, and Brandt Parsley, at the 2022 NAACP Gala Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Parke Regency Hotel in Bloomington.
Kevin Jackson and Bradley Ross Jackson at the 2022 NAACP Gala Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Parke Regency Hotel in Bloomington.
Tia Moore and Shirley Boykin at the 2022 NAACP Gala Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Parke Regency Hotel in Bloomington.
The Bloomington-Normal NAACP official charter at the 2022 NAACP Gala Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Parke Regency Hotel in Bloomington.
Sara Lindenbaum and Sharon Chung at the 2022 NAACP Gala Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Parke Regency Hotel in Bloomington.
Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington and Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe at the 2022 NAACP Gala Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Parke Regency Hotel in Bloomington.
Bishop Larry Taylor and Willie Holton Halbert at the 2022 NAACP Gala Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Parke Regency Hotel in Bloomington.
Tia Moore sings the Black National Anthem at the 2022 NAACP Gala on Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Parke Regency Hotel in Bloomington.
Sheri Strohl with the McLean County Moms Demand Action table at the 2022 NAACP Gala Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Parke Regency Hotel in Bloomington.
Valeda Harvey, District 87 school board member, and superintendent David Mouser at the 2022 NAACP Gala Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Parke Regency Hotel in Bloomington.
Dr. Carla Campbell-Jackson, Lisa Campbell, Paige White, Jennifer Franklin, Kentrica Coleman and Dr. Jeanne Morris at the 2022 NAACP Gala Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Parke Regency Hotel in Bloomington.
Will Lewis, Doris Houston and Ashley Hall with the Illinois State University table at the 2022 NAACP Gala Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Parke Regency Hotel in Bloomington
Contact Mateusz Janik at (309) 820-3234. Follow Mateusz on Twitter:@mjanik99
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