MAY, 2, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Montrose
Office of the City Manager
433 South First St.
Montrose CO, 81401
Contact: William Woody, Communications Manager
970.240.1439 | william@visitmontrose.com | www.cityofmontrose.org
Highlights From Tuesday's City Council Meeting
Montrose, CO – Members of the Montrose City Council voted unanimously Tuesday May 1, to approve the following agenda items.
Funds Approved To Begin Repair on Pedestrian Bridge
Citing the work as “vital”, the Council awarded $94,963.50 in expenditures to repair the fire-damaged pedestrian bridge over the Uncompahgre River south of East Oak Grove Road. The city received two bids for the work and decided to award $80,284 to Western Gravel Contractors for the repairs and $14,680 to local engineering firm, DOWL, for engineering support on the project.
The city's recreation bridge, a retired railroad structure that now serves as a pedestrian walkway over the river, connects city trails and was partially burned in an out-of-control brush fire on March 27.
City Engineer Scott Murphy said an accelerated timetable had been implemented to ensure the reopening of the pedestrian bridge by mid-June.
The accelerated repairs include replacing portions of the bridge's 200-foot concrete deck and the chain-link fencing that protects pedestrians as they cross. The project also involves removal and disposal of black char from the underlying bridge support structure.
The city is using money from its emergency reserve fund to get the project underway while the city's claim to the Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency (CIRSA) is processed. The city filed the claim with CIRSA immediately after the fire.
City Inks IGA With School District for Middle School Park Agreement
The City Council finalized an intergovernmental agreement with the Montrose County School District RE-1J regarding the Columbine Middle School Yard Initiative Grant Project.
In April the school was awarded a $110,000 grant from Great Outdoor Colorado's School Yard Initiative Program.
The grant funds represent the bulk of the projected $161,043 construction cost. The new park is a component of Columbine's new campus set to open in this fall. The project is a collaboration between the Montrose County School District and the City of Montrose.
The school district, along with the city, submitted the grant application to GOCO in January with many recommendations mostly generated from its student body. The project is designed to enhance the Columbine campus as the 58-year-old school is being replaced this year.
The proposal to GOCO received the highest ranking among the 14 applications submitted during the funding round of the grant process. The grant requires the new park to consist of a variety of nature-based and educational components. The park's design includes: a climbing boulder, obstacle course, group net swing and individual swings, native landscape learning areas with elements of the region's ecosystems, boulder benches, tree identification markers, a weather station, a gaga ball court, bench rest areas, playground surfacing, and a welcome sign with playground rules.
The partnership began in 2017 when the City Council authorized a land swap with the school district for property in front of Columbine Middle School. The city agreed to exchange 1.195 acres — a portion of Rotary Park — to the district in exchange for .133 acres located in front of the existing school building. The playground will be constructed on .913 acres of land near the intersection of South 12th Street and Mesa Avenue. The city's contribution to the intergovernmental agreement with the school district is estimated at $34,000.
Council Funds New Riverbottom Restroom Facility
Councilors awarded Ridgway Valley Enterprises $398,940 for completion of a new restroom and shelter facility in Riverbottom Park.
The city's original budget for the project was $550,000, so the amount saved could be around $151,061.
The new facility will help with the park's increased usage and become an integral part of the city's park system.
The restroom facility will be slightly larger than the existing restroom structure and will feature modern amenities like multiple indoor and outdoor electrical outlets, and a water bottle fill station.
A new 3,000-square-foot concrete patio is proposed for construction alongside the restrooms, complete with a large sunshade. The restrooms will be located just west of the current facility and the concrete patio will be poured where the existing sand volleyball court is located.
The new restroom facility is part of the conceptual Riverbottom Master Plan and will include upgrades to an existing sewer line so waste from the park will drain easier.
Construction of the restroom facility is expected to begin sometime in July and is scheduled for completion sometime in November.
Members of the City's Parks Division and Office of Business and Tourism have been involved in a conceptual design of the facility.
An extended gable, exterior finishes using stone and siding and drinking fountain area are suggested in the final design. The patio area will feature picnic areas and benches, all under a sunshade fabric canopy that is designed to block ultraviolet rays. A visitor information kiosk has also been included in the design.
The facility will be closed each night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. with pre-programmed automated locks that will unlock the facility doors each morning.
The current restroom facility will remain open throughout construction of the new facility and the construction site will be fenced off for FUNC Fest, which will be held July 14.
The original project budget used $300,000 from the Conservation Trust Fund for Capital Improvements and $250,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund for Uncompahgre River Improvements.
Ridgway Valley Enterprises was the sole bidder for the project earlier this year.
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There will more follow up concerning the city’s grant proposals via press releasees and will also be found at
CityOfMontrose.org/news.
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