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FD Council purchases property, awards contracts

Messenger photo by Bill Shea The Walt's Auto property at the corner of Fifth Avenue South and 16th Street was purchased by the Fort Dodge City Council on Monday. The site consists of two parcels at 1522 Fifth Ave. S. and 1528 Fifth Ave. S. The property was purchased from John and Lynette Peterson, of Fort Dodge, for $127,140. The lots will be cleared off and the buildings will be demolished in August.

An automotive business in a prominent spot along Fifth Avenue South was purchased by the Fort Dodge City Council on Monday so that the area can eventually be redeveloped.

The council also awarded a major paving contract and contracts for creating new features in the roundabout intersections on First Avenue South.

The council purchased the Walt’s Auto property at the corner of Fifth Avenue South and 16th Street from John and Lynette Peterson, of Fort Dodge, for $127,140. That money will come from the city government’s economic revolving fund.

The property consists of two parcels at 1522 Fifth Ave. S. and 1528 Fifth Ave. S.

The buildings will be demolished in August and the property will eventually be sold to a developer, according to a report to the council from Vickie Reeck, the city’s community and economic development manager.

The council approved the purchase unanimously with no discussion.

Also on Monday, the council hired Fort Dodge Asphalt Co. to do the annual repaving project at a cost of $965,903.99.

The following streets are to be repaved:

• Seventh Street between Eighth and Ninth avenues north;

• Second Avenue South between 13th and 21st streets;

• South 13th Street between Second and Fifth avenues south;

• South 14th Street between Second and Fifth avenues south;

• South 16th Street between Second and Fifth avenues south;

• South 17th Street between Second and Fifth avenues south;

• South 18th Street between Second and Fifth avenues south;

• South 20th Street between Second and Fifth avenues south;

• Ninth Avenue South between 15th and 17th streets;

• South 15th Street between Eighth and Ninth avenues south.

Councilman Dave Flattery said that even with recent big investments in street work “we’re still not able to keep up with the rate of deterioration.”

City Engineer Tony Trotter said that the street ratings are staying the same or slightly decreasing.

Also on Monday, the council moved to complete the installation of what are called gateway features in the roundabout intersections on First Avenue South.

Large metal banners attached to poles will be placed at First Avenue South and Sixth Street. A 32-foot-tall clock tower will be placed at First Avenue South and 12th Street.

On Monday, the council purchased the banners from ASI Signage Innovations, of Grinnell, for $23,265.

The council also bought the clock tower from AB Creative, of De Soto, Kansas, for $103,888.

Jensen Builders Ltd, of Fort Dodge, was hired to install the banners and the clock tower at a cost of $228,910. That company submitted the only bid for the installation work.

Flattery said that while the total price tag for the roundabout work is about $453,000, the city is paying only $100,000. Most of the money is coming from a $125,000 state grant and donations.

The roundabout work is to be done by the fall.

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