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Keokuk, IA – Keokuk was ready to rebuild about 12 blocks of Grand Avenue this summer and fall. The plan was put on hold after construction bids came back much higher than anticipated.
The added costs were connected to a tight timeline and potential late penalities.
The city's current plan is to start construction in early 2011 to allow the contractors to have more time to complete the work.
Mayor Tom Marion says that could change again, based on recommendations from the city's public works and finance departments.
"They are indicating that they would like to hold off until 2012 to actually do the project," said Marion. "They have some money issues and situations."
Keokuk has sped up its 12-year, $12,000,000 reconstruction program due to favorable interest rates. The city then borrowed about $3,000,000 to rebuild Grand Avenue this year.
Marion says instead of setting that money aside, it was used to pay off other debt and to pay for current street projects. He says that means Keokuk will have to borrow another $3,000,000 for Grand Avenue.
Keokuk's Streets Committee has discussed a one-year hiatus in the reconstruction project to catch up on work and money.
Marion says the project is ready to go out for bid if the Keokuk City Council wants construction to take place in 2011. He says several council members oppose the delays while others seem open to the idea.
The Keokuk City Council is expected to discuss the future of Grand Avenue this week. The workshop, which is open to the public, gets underway at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 2 at Keokuk City Hall.