(Arnolds Park)– The Highway 71 enhancement project and how to pay for it was discussed at Wednesday’s Arnolds Park City Council meeting.
The project includes the installation of concrete with exposed river rock aggregate along the highway between the curb and sidewalk; construction of decorative retaining walls at the corners of West Broadway and Lake Street; and a trail between Dam Road and Lake Street. Plans also call for a retaining wall along the cemetary with the cost being split three ways between the city, D-O-T and the township. Total cost of the combined projects is expected to be in excess of a million dollars. The city has received a grant that will cover 450-thousand dollars of the cost. City Administrator Ron Walker told the council the remainder that’s needed could come out of the three million dollars in bonds the city issued for the highway project. Walker estimates the city’s share of the highway will cost 2.2 million dollars. The city hasn’t been billed yet for it. Walker also said there’s some unspent money in the electric project fund that could also be tapped.
The council authorized the engineer to proceed in drawing up plans for elements of the project not originally included, and report back.
The council also authorized the placement of 14 additional decorative street lights along Dam Road and Lake Stree to tie in with the ones that will be installed along West Broadway. The additional lights will add about 60-thousand dollars onto the original bid of 314-thousand dollars.
The council also directed the engineer to finalize plans for a sidewalk and trail along West Broadway. Police Chief Clark Reekers told the council large crowds in the summer could congregate there instead of on the street.
