Engineering studies on West Market Street will soon begin after receiving the blessing of the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety.
City planner Jeremy Skinner asked the board to approve a contract with A&Z Engineering LLC of Fort Wayne to begin the necessary engineering work that will precede widening and other improvements of Market Street from Bronson Street to Argonne Road. The $38,905 contract is for the first phase of the project which, when completed, will include the widening of the street by 4 feet, the inclusion of a bike-pedestrian path and a sidewalk, and street lighting.
The intent of the Market Street project, said Skinner, is to provide “safe” on street parking and better utilize Market Street as a connector to the downtown area.
A&Z Engineering will look at the 4,200 feet of roadway to evaluate existing street grades, locate the storm sewer lines and establish horizontal and vertical control for Market Street.
Skinner said the engineering work will be done this summer. Phase II of the project will be submitted for federal funding later this year.
Skinner was also granted approval to seek quotes for the east side doors of the city hall building. The doors are not compatible with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and have caused the handicapped accessible power door options to be nonfunctioning. Another door was damaged and needs to be replaced due to the age of the door.
In other business, the B.O.W. accepted a memorandum of understanding regarding the high speed rail study. The memorandum simply states that, should the environmental impact study not be completed by Dec. 31, 2018, the city of Warsaw will receive its investment back to the General Fund. Last year, the city agreed to and paid $23,000 toward the study. Funds came from the city and other interested investors, including OrthoWorx.
The B.O.W. consists of Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer and city councilman Charlie Smith and Jeff Grose.