NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — The North Platte City Council approved several infrastructure improvements during its regular meeting Tuesday night, including the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to pave an expanded portion of West 15th Street.
Mayor Brandon Kelliher said the city was able to stretch its grant dollars further than anticipated after initial bids came in under budget.
“When the original bid came in, it was about $90,000 lower than the actual grant amount,” Kelliher said. “So, we went back to the state and asked if we could pave one more block with the extra funds, and they approved it.”
The council approved a $402,228 contract with Level, LLC of North Platte to pave West 15th Street from North Hayes Avenue to North Custer Avenue. Kelliher said the additional paving will eliminate remaining gravel patches and help modernize the north side of the city, although future improvements will depend on further grant funding.
“In areas where you’re putting in water, sewer and pavement, the cost is approaching $1,000 a foot,” he said.
The council also approved a second bid with Level, LLC for paving sidewalks and parking areas at Cody Park in the amount of $124,864.75. The improvements are part of ongoing renovations at the park, including new tennis and pickleball courts.
Kelliher announced the courts will be temporarily closed for approximately three weeks starting at the end of April for painting and finishing work.
“The company is coming back to finish the tennis and pickleball courts. It’s a very precise and time-consuming process,” he said. “It will cost about $130,000 to paint the courts, so we need people to stay off them while the work is done.”
The mayor added the courts will be locked and clearly marked as closed, and the city plans to host grand opening events once the project is complete.
In other business, the council held first readings and took action on three ordinances related to paving projects on Francis Street. Ordinances No. 4204, 4205 and 4206 would create paving districts extending from Tabor Avenue to Newberry Access.
The council also approved second readings to annex the Otter First and Second Subdivisions, Majors 3 Brothers Administrative Subdivisions, and Glennfields 3rd Subdivision into city limits. Kelliher said construction on the Francis Street paving could begin as early as this summer, supporting further development in the area.