City engineering reports progress on First Street reconstruction and Belelfford parking lot

Engineering Manager Steve Hodges briefed council on two downtown projects. On First Street he described phased concrete pours, brick bumpouts at intersections, and glass-block sidewalk features; crews encountered an unanticipated basement/footing condition on one building, prompting re-engineering and reinforcement of that section. "Once you start digging in asphalt and concrete, you find stuff that you never knew existed before," Hodges said, and he reported that core samples and strength tests by WSB have passed.

On the Belelfford parking-lot project (site of a former building), crews removed old footings and compacted subgrade, poured concrete, and prepared landscaping and striping. Hodges said the lot will include solar-powered LED lighting similar to the pump-track lighting and will yield about 19–21 spaces. Council members praised the contractors and staff for visible progress in downtown construction.

Staff said they expect brickwork and remaining installations to finish in the coming days and encouraged public caution around active work zones.