By John McLoone

The Hastings City Council approved a resolution last Monday night to get this year’s Neighborhood Infrastructure Improvements and advertise for bids for the project.

A public hearing was held on this year’s slate of work.

“The 2022 Neighborhood Infrastructure Improvements contain street and utility improvements to five separate projects areas. These areas range in scope from street reclamation with limited utility work to complete street and utility reconstruction,” City Engineer Ryan Stempski wrote in a memorandum to the City Council.

Under the plan, work would begin by May and be completed by October.

Streets slated for complete reconstruction are:

•5th Street West from State Street to west cul-de-sac.

•Ash Street from 2nd Street West to 5th Street West.

•Park Lane from 24th Street West to Bahls Drive.

•Park Court from Park land to its end.

•11th Street East roughly one-half block from Ramsey Street to Tyler Street.

Reclaimed streets will be:

•13th Street West – Westview Dr to one block east of Hillside Street o Hillside Street – Westview Dr to 13th Street W

•Lilac Ct – 13th Street W to End

• Riverwood Drive – CSAH 46 to Woodland Drive

•Village Trail – CSAH 46 to 36th Street

•Full Length of: Lilac Ct, Teal Way, Sherman Way Villa Ct, Union Ct, Western Ct, Winter Ct, Teal Ct, Riverwood Ct, & Regency Ct Streets with complete reconstruction means pavement, infrastructure and curb and gutter will be replaced.

Reclaimed streets will be ground up and repaved, with repairs and upgrades to infrastructure and curb and gutter as necessary.

The city makes every effort to save trees on the project path.

Stempski wrote, “There are several mature trees located within the boulevards of these neighborhood streets. During design and construction of the project, Engineering Staff works directly with the City Forester to bring expertise in assessing tree conditions into the process. We make every effort to keep trees that are in good health by adjusting the infrastructure alignments, as the character of the neighborhood depends on these decisions.”

Residents along the project roadways were notified and, “There was general support and positive reaction for the scope and features of the project,” said Stempski.

Pre-bid project cost is estimated at $4.6 million.