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New North Industrial Park ahead of schedule

By Staff | Aug 10, 2014

After having quite a few setbacks along the way to finalizing the new North Industrial Park, the Blue Earth City Council was pleasantly surprised to learn it was now on schedule.

In fact, it could be ahead of one critical deadline date.

“Our target has been to have the site preparation work completed for the new Kibble Equipment building by Aug. 15,” city engineer Wes Brown, of Bolton and Menk, told the council at their meeting last Monday night. “In fact, it looks like it could be ready by this Friday (Aug. 8).”

Brown added that almost all of the underground utility work has been done except for one.

“We have been contacting two guys from CenterPoint Energy for the natural gas line,” Brown said. “We gave them plenty of notice but they don’t have it in place yet.”

Brown adds that crews have moved a lot of dirt and nearly have the pad area ready for the new Kibble building site.

“They (Kibble Equipment) have told us all along they wanted to begin construction by Aug. 15 and they should be able to do so,” Brown added.

The city engineer also gave updates on several other construction projects in the city.

“All of the underground work on Second Street and most of the base work has been completed,” Brown said. “But, nothing has been done lately. They are waiting for the concrete subcontractor to get here and pour curbs and gutters and sidewalks. That is the next step.”

Unfortunately, Brown said, that contractor is busy pouring curb items for the new roundabouts in Mankato, and that work has taken precedence.

The engineer added that a change order for work on Highland Drive is ready for approval.

“The amount for the private driveway work is $68,000 and will be paid to the contractor,” Brown said. “The amounts will be assessed to the individual property owners.”

Brown also said that a bid for seal coating several streets in Blue Earth this summer came in at $35,186, well under the budgeted amount of $45,000.