Neosho overpass project to take six to eight months
Fifty years in the making, Neosho's South Street overpass should be completed next fall, an engineering consultant told the Neosho City Council Tuesday night.
Construction bids for the east / west bridge connecting South Street in the south-center of town will likely go out in February, said Jason Eckhart, vice-president of engineering for Sprenkle & Associates Inc., the city's consultant on the project.
Work would probably begin in March, Eckhart said, and would take six to eight months to complete, barring inclement weather or other issues.
He said an updated engineering plan for the bridge would be resubmitted in a couple of weeks to Kansas City Southern Railway, whose tracks will run beneath the overpass, for the company's approval. Designs for the roundabout portion of the project, at the west end of the bridge, are separate.
"We'll glue it all together once we get the railroad satisfied," Eckhart said.
On the subject of the roundabout, Eckhart said it would be 195 foot in diameter, with a 25 foot lane width.
Neosho Mayor Howard Birdsong suggested having a lighting engineer do a survey of the site on several different nights with varying degrees of moonlight to determine how well the area is naturally lit. He thought both the roundabout and overpass would probably need some illumination.
"I can't imagine on a dark night, particularly coming into something new, not having some lighting," Birdsong said. "My gosh, we got to have lighting at the bridge on both ends."
Also on Tuesday, the council heard a construction update on the renovation work at the municipal auditorium.
David Kromm, president of Kromm, Rikimaru & Johansen, the architectural firm spearheading the project, presented samples of colors, tile, art deco, light fixtures, as well as wood for the stage, main floor and doors. He said some of the concept schemes would be modified, with a more comprehensive color board put together later.
The inspiration for the auditorium's color design scheme is Rockefeller Center in New York City, Kromm said.
Up to now, the building has been completely gutted, but Kromm said construction work has reached a point where a general picture of the future renovated structure is emerging.
"If you go in there, you're just beginning to see somewhat of how it's going to be shaped," he said.
When completed, the building will have a seating capacity of 1,170. The stage has been extended to allow audience members sitting on the far inner side of the balcony a better view. Although the upper level isn't handicapped accessible at this point, Kromm said the building specifications allow for that later. Wheelchair ramps have been built up the steps on either side of the building's front, and the first floor restrooms are all now ADA compliant.
There is now a sound booth on the main floor. According to Kromm, having the booth on the bottom floor, instead of on the balcony where it was, will give technicians better accuracy when adjusting sound levels during performances.
A backstage preparation area has been added as well, with men and women's dressing rooms, and will also be used to store the building's tables and chairs.
The targeted completion date for the auditorium renovation is July 14 of next year.
"I feel good about it," Kromm said of the soon-to-be revamped building. "I feel it's consistent with what our forefathers thought when they were putting this building together. It was a multi-purpose building."
Also on Tuesday, the council:
- Heard an update on the city parking lot upgrades from Tom Baker, president of Hurst-Rosche Engineers. He said surveys have been completed on each of the five downtown public lots due to receive repaving and restriping work, as well as some aesthetic features. A sixth lot, across from the Neosho-Newton County Library, might be included in the work as well. The project also includes installing lighting leading from each of the lots to the Square. Work is set to begin this spring.
- Approved an agreement with Branco Enterprises for sidewalk replacement on Wood and Main Street at a cost of $147,101. The project is completely funded through private grant money, according to city manager Jan Blasé.
- Accepted a $27,900 bid from Cannon Excavating to repair 14 water leaks on city water lines. According to public works director Mike Hightower, there are 15 more known leaks to be fixed.
- Approved, on first reading, a bill canvassing the nominating petitions for one city council seat and calling for a municipal election on April 8. Incumbent Matt Persinger was the only candidate to file.
- Appointed Gale Ellis to a three-year term on the Historic District Commission, replacing Linda Anderson.
- Appointed Don Gustaveson to a three-year term on the city board of appeals (building code). A three-year term vacancy still exists.
- Announced a three year term vacancy still exists on the Senior Center tax advisory committee.
- Changed, on a 3-2 vote, the city's medical insurance provider from Anthem Insurance (Blue Cross/Blue Shield) to ECCHIC and Benefit Administrative Systems, LLC. The monthly premium will now drop from $59,742.65 to $21,935.28. Employee benefits will remain the same, according to human resources director Vickie Dexter.
- Accepted a $8,625 bid from Billiard Factory for five pool tables for the Senior Center.
- Accepted a $18,998.98 bid from HD Supply for 2,002 feet of 15-inch sewer pipe to be laid along Missouri Highway 59 up to Quince Road.
- Accepted a $5,400 bid from Steward Concrete Products for five 48-inch manholes.
- Amended the past 2007-2007 fiscal year budget to show revenues of $23,560,366 and expenditures of $20,525,559.
Neosho Daily News