Sidewalk, detention projects moving forward

DUNKIRK — Two projects that have been long in the works are getting closer to becoming a reality.

Mayor Jack Robbins on Monday updated Dunkirk City Council on the timeline for both a sidewalk project connecting West Jay Elementary School to Dunkirk City Park and a planned detention basin on the city’s southeast side in an effort to mitigate flooding.

Robbins told council the low bid for the sidewalk project came from Yardberry Landscaping Excavating at $204,364. The bulk of the project is being paid via federal funds passed through Indiana Department of Transportation, with the city responsible for a 20% match of $40,460.80.

The project calls for installing a sidewalk along Highland Avenue beginning at West Jay Elementary and eventually connecting with Speedcat Alley, which runs through the park. Federal funding for the sidewalk was originally awarded in 2016.

“This is the second time we’ve bid this project,” said Robbins. “It needs to start and finish this year.”

Council members Jesse Bivens, Bryan Jessup, Christy Curts, Kevin Hamilton and Tom Johnson awarded the project to Yardberry.

Robbins also explained that the city has acquired the land needed for the flood mitigation project and that a pre-bid meeting is set for 9 a.m. March 10. Bids will be opened March 23.

Dunkirk was awarded a $600,000 grant from Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) for the estimated $1 million project. City council committed $400,000 from the city’s federal coronavirus relief funds through the American Rescue Plan Act to cover the remaining cost.

The project calls for creating detention basins east of Broad Street near Moore Avenue and west of 3rd Street near the southern city limits.