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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Friday, May 8, 2009 4:49 PM CDT
Improvements to Roundhouse complex set to begin

By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com

MATTOON — The city is moving ahead with a $559,881 construction project at the Roundhouse Multi-Sports Complex.

Mattoon Public Works Director Dave Wortman said this phase of the project will include a perimeter walking trail, a new parking lot and the concrete base of the new skateboard park. The eventual cost of the project is projected to be about $800,000, which will be assisted by a $400,000 state grant.

The green light on the effort was offered this week by the Mattoon City Council. Additional work will include new equipment for the skate park.

Fuetz Contractors, Inc., of Paris was the low bidder on the work.

In other projects across Mattoon, the first phase of walking routes along improved sidewalk sections will start this year under contracts totaling $116,000 with McGinnis Concrete, Inc. of Jewett. This project will provide new walking sections, new handicapped accessibility ramps and new sections of driveways along Western and Broadway avenues. McGinnis Concrete was the lowest of several bidders.

Wortman told council members this is the first of several sidewalk projects in coming years to provide stable and safer walkways in different sections of the city. Money for the work is coming from the infrastructure fund assisted by added sales tax approved by a referendum in 2003.

In other business Tuesday, the council rejected all bids for the 2009 Street Maintenance Program, citing the high costs and a low number of bidders. Wortman said the intent on rebidding is to seek more contractors with lower prices.

The city will distribute $17,900 in hotel/motel tax fund grants to help fund annual softball series and qualifiers, several duathlons and triathlons, and the upcoming girls’ state badminton championships at Eastern Illinois University.

The city also accepted a $210,000 HOME single family housing rehabilitation grant to help with five housing projects. Doug McDermand, executive director of the Coles County Regional Planning and Development Commission, said the program has helped many families over the years.

Outgoing City Commissioner Dave Schilling offered thanks to the council after his eight years on the panel. Commissioner Joe McKenzie was also recognized for his time on the council for the last three years.

Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.

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medic57 wrote on May 10, 2009 2:11 PM:

" The eventual cost of the project is projected to be about $800,000, which will be assisted by a $400,000 state grant.

And where is the other approx. Half Million coming from. "