Additional lift station seen necessary to assist growth

Monday, September 24, 2012

With development already on the drawing board and more expected in the future on Greencastle's southeast side, infrastructure needs likewise will be increasing, city officials realize.

The need is already apparent for an additional lift station to accommodate the needs of the city's wastewater system in the Foxridge area east of U.S. 231 and south of Veterans Memorial Highway, the Greencastle Board of Works was told at its September meeting.

Richard Hedge, the city water and wastewater superintendent, said a new lift station to be located on city-owned property south of Ivy Tech would help split the load and ease the burden placed on the Foxridge lift station.

"Those sewers already are at maximum, especially in high-flow situations," Hedge said, noting that additional capacity would allow the planned 94-unit Tennessee Street apartment complex to tap on "without being a strain" on the current lift station.

"We know this is an area of town that's going to grow," Hedge said. "It's got some available property out there."

Mayor Sue Murray agreed with that assessment, noting that the added lift station would allow for future expansion as needed at Ivy Tech, as well as an additional phase of homes foreseen for the Woods Edge Subdivision.

Hedge estimated the lift station project would cost approximately $150,000 or "perhaps a little more."

The project would require both a lift station and additional force main to tie into the existing 12-inch force main coming off Foxridge, he said.

However, those funds have not been set aside in the current wastewater budget, City Clerk-Treasurer Lynda Dunbar said.

The Board of Works took no action on the idea of an additional lift station as engineering plans and specs will need to be drawn up to determine cost figures.

"So that's where we are now," Hedge said.

Mayor Murray had one more element to add to the discussion.

"We're going to have to have a name for it," she said.

"We're calling it 'Zinc Mill' lift station," Hedge said in reference to its location along Zinc Mill Road on the south side of Veterans Highway (State Road 240).

Meanwhile, four bidders submitted proposals on the owner-occupied rehab portion of the city's Stellar Project package. Contractors could bid on any or all of the five homes to be included in the project.

Emmert Group, Brazil, was the only company to bid on all five homes: 5 E. Liberty St., $47,305; 309 S. Jackson St., $41,225; 206 W. Washington St., $29,150; 126 E. Washington St., $51,387; and 12 W. Poplar St., $16,950.

Tucker Construction, Indianapolis, which is already working on the first phase of the project, offered bids on work at four sites: 309 S. Jackson St., $24,700; 206 W. Washington St., $24,275; 126 E. Washington St., $44,225; and 12 W. Poplar St., $22,300.

A Cut Above Construction, Greencastle, submitted bids on four of the homes: 309 S. Jackson St., $27,709; 206 W. Washington St., $30,243; 126 E. Washington St., $35,034; and 12 W. Poplar St., $15,707.

Aluminum Brothers, Richmond, bid on work on three properties: 5 E. Liberty St., $28,279; 126 E. Washington St., $14,631; and 12 W. Poplar St., $15,355.

After the bid opening, all submitted bids were taken under advisement until the Oct. 10 Board of Works meeting, set for 4:30 p.m. at City Hall.

In the interim, project director Joyce McCarty will pick and choose among the necessary line-item expenses to meet the budget for each property, and then actually compare those bids to determine the lowest bidder on each property.

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