Ideas sought for downtown gateway

City Council members discussed the need for construction ideas regarding the use of the property where the soon-to-be demolished Romanoff building is located during Tuesday's semi-monthly City Council meeting at Memorial Auditorium.

With the potential to tie both sides of Norris Avenue into a "gateway" type project, City Manager Kurt Fritsch expressed the need for a project that would "capture attention and entice travelers to make the turn into downtown McCook."

The Romanoff building project was a success largely in part due to funds obtained from the NSP program, which was established for the purpose of stabilizing communities that have suffered from foreclosures and abandonment.

City staff's utilization of the program has been a key component in several demolition projects in McCook recently, including a building located on the 100 block of W. Third that was owned by Mark and Elizabeth Wilcox. The couple, along with Source Gas, were authorized a Grant of License at the meeting to use the former building area, a portion of the city right-of-way located on A street between W. Third and W. Fourth, for off-street parking.

Council also approved a change order authorizing an upgrade to the pedestrian crossing light that will be installed as part of the sidewalk to Walmart project at the intersection of U.S. Highway 6 and 34. The upgrades feature a "walk with countdown" sign that will inform pedestrians of the amount of time they have remaining to cross, as well as a "blankout" sign which will indicate to drivers a "no right turn" condition when the pedestrian crossing is activated. The upgrades were recommended and will be paid for by the Nebraska Department of Roads.

An agreement between the Nebraska Department of Roads and the city of McCook was approved, authorizing a resurfacing project on U.S. Highway 6 and 34. The project consists of patching the existing concrete pavement and then resurfacing with asphalt, beginning at the West Junction and ending just past the Walmart entrance/intersection at Wedgewood Drive.

Bid specifications for the painting of the Municipal Swimming Pool were approved. It has been more than five years since the pool has been painted and sales tax revenue in the amount of $30,000 has already been set aside. The specifications included sandblasting of the pools, filling all cracks, joints and seams, painting of all pool surfaces and clean up. The city is furnishing all paint to reduce costs of the project.

Other items approved by City Council;

Land Construction of Lincoln was awarded the demolition contract for the West Ward school building at 304 W. Fourth in the amount of $96,880. The construction company plans to begin the project in the fall of this year and be completed within 45 working days.

P&G Excavating of McCook was awarded the demolition contract for 508 South Street and 305 East 12th in the amount of $13,000.

Maris General Construction, LLC, of McCook was awarded the demolition contract for 25 South Street, 504 South Street and 102 S. Sixth Street in the amount of $36,700.

Wagner Auto Group's request to close the 200 block of W. Second and the 200 block of E. First, Friday, July 16, 5 p.m. through Saturday, July 17, 5 p.m., for a summer sale was approved.

Peace Lutheran Church was authorized to close the alley located at the 400 block of E. Sixth, from July 19 through July 23 for Vacation Bible School.

Taste of Texas BBQ was granted a special liquor license for the Chamber Mixer event at Tri State Spas on July 22, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Red Willow County Fair board was granted extra trash cans, four bleachers, eight picnic tables and the city water truck for the week of the fair, July 28 through August 1.

A resolution was adopted expressing "sincere thanks and appreciation to the McCook Main Street Consortium" for their $17,224 donation to the city for development of the corner at Norris Avenue and B Street, the location of the Romanoff building.

City council hosted its first of three budget workshops at the meeting, presenting the city's preliminary annual budget for fiscal year 2010/2011. The second budget meeting is scheduled for July 19, 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium.