Council awarded North Elm culvert contract; city details upcoming construction impacts

City staff and commission liaisons updated the BDC on several infrastructure projects that will affect local businesses and travel patterns.

The council included a North Elm culvert replacement in the consent agenda and is awarding the contract to RV Wagner. The project — described by staff as necessary to replace a failing culvert that carries Shady Creek — is estimated at about $1,300,000, is expected to start in mid‑June and will require a full closure of North Elm at the Brentwood/Kirkham intersection for an estimated five-month duration.

City staff also noted a design contract was awarded to repair the old Webster parking garage, also listed in the consent agenda, and Sanon attended a preconstruction meeting for Big Bend Boulevard resurfacing (Laclede Station to Lockwood). The resurfacing project was described as a mill-and-overlay that was expected to begin after Memorial Day and that city staff would reach out to affected businesses with timing and impact details.

A liaison described the South Elm shared-use path project (in planning since 2023) and said approximately two‑thirds of its funding comes from a federal grant; discussion focused on walkability and student safety along the corridor and possible easement impacts for nearby properties.

“We had a big discussion about the shared use path... two thirds of it is a grant,” the liaison said, emphasizing the project’s safety and connectivity goals. Staff said they would circulate more precise construction schedules and business outreach materials as timelines solidify.

Next steps: city staff will provide project schedules and outreach to businesses in advance of closures, and BDC members were advised to expect additional notices and to coordinate with contractors where possible.