Turner Park splash pad contractor selected
Vorwald Enterprises, of Monona, has been awarded the contract for McGregor’s Turner Park splash pad. Construction on phase one of the project is expected to begin in late spring. It will likely be completed in August.
By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times
Vorwald Enterprises, of Monona, has been awarded the contract for McGregor’s Turner Park splash pad. The city council selected the lowest of three bidders at its Feb. 19 regular meeting, after approving the plans, specifications, opinion of cost and form of contract for the project.
Vorwald came in at $221,852, which is around 5 percent less than the $230,438 estimated by the engineering firm, MSA Professional Services, Inc.
MSA Engineer Jake Deaver, who spoke at the meeting, said he was “pleasantly surprised” with the amount of interest in the project. He feels good going with Vorwald, who has completed other projects in town, including at Turner Park.
Construction on phase one of the splash pad is expected to begin in late spring. It will likely be completed in August.
“Since the 1970s, McGregor has been campaigning for some kind of pool or water park feature,” said mayor Lyle Troester. “It’s finally coming to fruition.”
With just one month of operation this year, Troester said the splash pad should have little impact on the city’s stressed sewer system, which is slated to be repaired in 2021.
“The splash pad will add water, but we’ll be able to pump it,” he explained, addressing an audience concern. “Plus, it won’t be running 24/7.”
Change to boat house slip leasing
The council approved an ordinance change regarding who is allowed to lease the city’s boat house slips. Previously, only McGregor residents were able to apply to lease the spaces. The change now allows anyone who owns a single family home or business property in the community to apply. The idea was proposed by the dock commission.
Charlie Carroll was the only council member to vote against the change, stating that he wanted community members to have more time to comment before the ordinance’s additional readings were waived and final passage approved.
Since word got out, said Troester, “we’ve gone from three vacancies to three or four on the waiting list.”
Lot listing rights renewed
The council renewed the exclusive listing rights for McGregor’s Ohmer Ridge and Ridge Wood West lots with Ryan Johnson, of Allen Real Estate.
Since taking over listing rights in 2016, Johnson said the company has sold three Ohmer lots, and one home construction is being considered.
“They’re moving a bit,” he said. “Hopefully there will be some new construction.”
Area-wide, Johnson said Allen Real Estate has seen little new construction.
“We can get a feel for what’s going on in the area and, last year, a lot of people were looking to buy rather than build,” he remarked.
For those who may choose to build, though, Johnson said McGregor’s lots “are valued where they need to be. The incentives [that come with a purchase] are a show stopper. That helps as a selling point.”
Some of those incentives include the waiving of sewer hook-up, building permit and excavation permit fees, as well as a welcome basket and newspaper subscription. McGregor Municipal Utilities provides an underground meter socket, triplex electric cable and two-inch inner duct; installs cable, duct and pedestal connections; and offers an energy crunch kit and home rebates.
Riverfront road will be repaired
The council approved a quote from Kluesner Construction, totaling $19,880, to repair the riverfront access road that is located north of Riverfront Park and runs past Boatels. The repairs are part of a FEMA project from last spring’s flooding. They could not be completed sooner due to continuous high water.
