Keene moves downtown infrastructure forward: engineering contracts approved, project advertised for bids

The Keene City Council approved a package of engineering and construction‑oversight contracts and staff announced that the downtown infrastructure improvement project has been advertised for bid, with bids due Dec. 18.

The finance committee recommended, and the council approved, several professional services agreements: Weston & Sampson for design of the Court Street water main replacement (not to exceed $165,000); Fuss & O'Neill for design of the Court Street culvert replacement (not to exceed $128,000); McFarland Johnson for engineer‑of‑record services during construction for the George Street bridge replacement (up to $60,000); and Greenman‑Pedersen (GPI) for engineering services during construction on the downtown infrastructure improvements project (authorization up to $1.8 million for construction‑phase oversight). Councilor Thomas F. Powers summarized that GPI would provide on‑site project presence to check quality, quantities and billing during construction.

City staff told council that the final New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services comments were resolved and the downtown project was advertised on the city's bid platform that morning. Bids are due Dec. 18. City engineering expects to recommend an award for the George Street bridge to NHDOT next week and said no construction is expected until spring; awarding now allows precasting and fabrication work over winter.

Separately, the council approved revocable license agreements to attach city‑owned catenary (string) lighting to privately owned downtown buildings near Margaritas and Local Burger; the MSFI committee recommended manager authority to negotiate the agreements and the council approved them unanimously.

Councilors said they will seek to spread the word to qualified construction firms to increase competition for the downtown project bid.