Original Townsite and Maplewood Reconstruction

Construction of the project is now complete, with the exception of grass establishment, the storm sewer lift station across from City Hall, and some minor cleanup items and repairs. With winter approaching, some items to be completed are unable to be addressed until spring, particularly with grass establishment.

Grass Establishment
The grass seed on Maple Drive, 5th Avenue, and portions of 2nd Avenue was planted late in the fall. This practice is referred to as “dormant” seeding. Although some residents chose to water their newly seeded yards late this fall, and good growth and germination occurred, dormant seeded grass is not expected to sprout until the spring. These dormant seeded areas will be monitored in the spring after soil temperatures are high enough for growth. The seed will take approximately 14-21 days to germinate with warm temperatures and consistent moisture. The contractor is responsible for ensuring that the seed receives enough moisture to grow, but residents may choose to water their yards to help the seed establish in the spring. Areas that have not germinated by late spring/early summer will be reseeded and the contractor will continue to be responsible for ensuring that the seed receives enough moisture to grow. The project will not be closed until grass establishment has been accepted by the city.

Correction Period
The project has a one-year correction period that will extend through the fall of 2025. Occasionally, portions of any construction project may develop defects shortly after project completion or may have defects which were not identified at the time the project was completed. Examples of this may include a crack in concrete, a soft spot in asphalt pavement, minor water leaks, or inoperable components like a valve. The correction period exists to identify and repair any project components that become defective due to normal wear and tear within the first year after construction was completed.

Project Financing
The project is being paid through special assessments, as noted in previous public meetings and correspondence. The process for determining the special assessment amounts per property will begin next spring. The city uses a 3-person Special Assessment Commission to determine the special assessment for each property, which is ultimately recommended to the City Council for approval. More information on this process and your opportunity to review and provide input will be shared when the Special Assessment Commission begins meeting next spring to review the special assessments.

Thank You
We want to sincerely thank you for your patience during this project. The reconstruction of a neighborhood is a highly disruptive activity, with many variables and unknowns during construction. We understand that this can be difficult at times with access. We hope that you can enjoy the upgraded streets for many years into the future. Our mission at Moore Engineering is “Improving Lives by Building Strong Communities”, and we hope this project has accomplished this goal.