June start planned for North Michigan Street construction

By Correne Martin

There’s going to be plenty of road construction happening in Prairie du Chien this summer. While the Marquette Road reconstruction will be the most visible to motorists, North Michigan Street is set to undergo a major overhaul as well, beginning in June. 

The Prairie du Chien Common Council accepted the low bid, at its Tuesday night meeting, from H. James & Sons, of Fennimore, awarding the company the Michigan Street reconstruction contract, at the price of $1,340,401.25. 

According to the city’s notice of award to H. James & Sons, street and utility work will comprise most of the project on North Michigan Street in addition to Haydn and Park Streets. The bid also included an alternate to do storm sewer drainage improvements for 13th and 14th Streets. More specifically, construction will include excavation, sanitary sewer main and laterals, water main and services, storm sewer, base course, curb and gutter, sidewalk, asphalt paving, clearing and grubbing, restoration of the work area and other miscellaneous items. 

According to Vierbicher Associates, which the city contracts with for consulting, the city received a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the street replacement costs associated with the base of the project: North Michigan Street.

Personnel changes

The city will see several personnel changes very soon in the wastewater department as well as in parks and recreation. 

After closed session Tuesday, the council approved a conditional offer to Jacob Tanner, to replace Glen Goodrich as the wastewater superintendent. Goodrich retired, effective Feb. 27. Conditional offers are also being extended to Kurt Hromadka and Grant Kunkel for the wastewater operator openings in the city.

Additionally, the council accepted the resignation of Suzette Cunningham, recreation coordinator.

Skateboard park addition

Two mini shelters and park benches will be added to the city’s skateboard park on Wells Street through a partnership with the Prairie du Chien High School technical education class. 

According to a memo from Parks and Recreation Director Mike Ulrich, there was discussion, after phase two of the park was installed last summer, that the area lacked shade and seating for participants and viewers utilizing the park.

Thanks to a collaborative effort between the Childrens Advisory Board, which is providing an estimated $1,000 in funding, and the high school students, these desires will be built at the site. The structures will sit on two 8x8 concrete pads and be put into place by city staff.

Woodridge Acres

Closed session discussion also considered a third offer to purchase a lot in the Woodridge Acres subdivision on the city’s east side. There was no action after closed session. However, Interim City Administrator Chad Abram said two other lots have been sold there and one is seeing construction at this time.