Mayor: full infrastructure rebuilds cost about $1.32 million per mile; Jackson Street project ongoing

Mayor Matt Zacher gave a status update on local street and infrastructure projects, reporting that Jackson Street is in a three-phase reconstruction and crews are making progress on curbs, gutters and pavement. He acknowledged delays and inconveniences on Pepper Street and asked residents to report potholes and other urgent concerns to city staff.

Zacher cited an approximate cost estimate for full infrastructure replacement: "we're talking about came to $1.32 million for every mile that we try to fix with full infrastructure." He said the figure underscores the city's fiscal constraints and the need to prioritize repairs and consider interim treatments like mill-and-overlay or chip seal when full rebuilds are not immediately affordable.

The mayor advised residents to call city hall with specific location reports so crews can schedule repairs and longer-term capital projects, and emphasized that costs drive the city's sequencing of capital work rather than a lack of will to fix streets faster.