A jumbo-sized version of the picnic pavilions found in many parks will be constructed along the riverfront in downtown Fort Dodge.

The large shelter, capable of seating 200 people, will be located at the west end of Central Avenue just south of the Matt Cosgrove River’s Edge Discovery Center. It will be easily visible to anyone heading down Central Avenue from the City Square to the Des Moines River.

The City Council on Monday hired Jensen Builders Ltd., of Fort Dodge, to build it at a cost of $1,635,795.

The work will also include construction of a rest-room building, trellis and swings, sidewalks and storm sewers.

Fort Dodge and Webster County have received a $400,000 state Community Attraction and Tourism Grant to help pay for it.

Other bidders for the job were Graphite Construction Group, Des Moines, $1,668,814; Doyle Construction, Fort Dodge, $1,724,589; Kolacia Construction, Fort Dodge, $2,014,769.48; Woodruff Construction, Fort Dodge, $4,100,030; and GM Contracting, Lake Crystal, Minnesota, $2,297,659.13.

Also on Monday, the council approved borrowing up to $2.7 million from a state revolving loan fund to pay for some completed water system projects. Those projects include replacement of water main valves, a connection to the water tower on South 32nd Street and an extension of a water main to the Elanco plant on the city’s northwest side.

The monthly $5 community water initiative fee on water bills will pay off the debt.