Work nearly done

A project designed to improve drainage and separate sewers on Portland’s southeast side is nearly wrapped up and will cost less than expected.
Members of a local board learned Thursday that work on the Steen Addition project is nearly wrapped up. Also, the cost of the project is coming in $50,000 less than expected.
Portland Board of Works members learned Thursday that city officials and R.W. Armstrong officials are looking for ways to spend the remaining $50,000 of the $600,000 grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
After the city received the $600,000 grant, bids came in lower than expected, allowing for the savings.
City clerk-treasurer Randy Geesaman said Thursday afternoon that additional improvements in the area could possibly be funded with the leftover grant money, and city officials don’t want to send the money back if there’s a way to invest it in the project, Geesaman said.
Spending any or all of the leftover $50,000 in grant funds would require a 38 percent match from the city, meaning that if the entire $50,000 was used, the city’s share would be $19,000.
The Steen Addition project includes new curbs and sidewalks and the resurfacing of Massachusetts, Pittsburg, Floral, Detroit and Hagins avenues and Reed Street.
Geesaman said the curb and sidewalk work is nearly completed and the paving of streets, which is the final phase of the project, is set to begin next week.
The project, which began in the fall, is expected to be wrapped up by the end of the month.
Board members approved a $62,156.30 pay request for Bruns Building and Development Corporation. The city will pay 38 percent of this cost, which is $23,619.40. The remainder will be paid through the grant.
The board also gave permission for the remaining retainer fee to be paid to the contractor, since the project is nearly completed. The remaining fee for Bruns Building and Development Corporation is $201,647.60. In all, the company is being paid $683,362.70. Engineering fees for R.W. Armstrong total $108,900.
In other business Thursday, board members approved a two-year contract with Community Fiber Solutions, 1393 West Tyson Road, to put wireless communications, television and Internet service equipment on the city water tower along Tyson Road.
A conduit will be run from the tower to the CFS building. The company will pay $350 per month for two years to rent the space on the tower.
A request for a leak adjustment on a water bill was taken off Thursday’s agenda because the customer making the request could not attend the board of works meeting.[[In-content Ad]]