Granada Safe Route Street Project Delayed

The CDOT Safe Routes to School project began in Granada in 2013 when funds were awarded to design  and construct a safe environment when students either walked or rode a bike to school.  Granada Police Chief, David Dougherty, informed the Granada Trustees that the single bid for the construction project was over the nominal range by $177,000.  Initially five contractors were interested, four attended a pre-bid meeting back in May and only one submitted a bid by the May 14 deadline.

Chief Dougherty explained the next steps, “We’ll need to revamp the construction plans and work with the budget and start the bidding process again with the new changes.”  He added that once the plans are completed the bid advertisements will start at the end of this June and run for three weeks.  The downsized construction plans will allow for an estimated start time of September of this year.  “We’re going to do the construction a block at a time,” he told the Trustees.  He explained that the high bid estimated a pipe under the curb and gutter along Hoisington Street at $40,000 and the cost for traffic control was estimated at $60,000.

On another matter, Dougherty said CDOT okayed the June 20 permit for the annual Granada Bristol Days Parade at 10am and August 4has been selected for a National Night Out block party, but the time and place hasn’t been set at this point.  The Trustees approved a Granada Pride Paint Ball Fundraiser at the Arena for June 21 from 1pm to 6pm and the rental of the Complex for a Granada Pride Steak Dinner for September 19.  Resident Lawrence McMillan addressed the Trustees with concerns about a stand of dead trees which were planned on city property in the channel.  He stated that if there is enough water to move the debris, it will float up to the bridge and dike and could cause a flood hazard.

By Russ Baldwin