Construction on pace for N. 32nd St. improvements

(Above) Crews of McKiness Excavating are currently installing storm sewer lines for the North 32nd Street improvement project.  Paving is expected in July. - Reporter photo by Chris Barragy.

Improvements to North 32nd Street, on the east edge of Clear Lake, are moving along ahead of schedule, according to Public Works Director Joe Weigel.

Storm sewer and sanitary sewer lines are currently being installed on the road, which runs north from Highway 122.  That work is expected to be completed within the next two weeks.  Paving will follow in early July.

The City Council approved the improvements to make the area more attractive to developers.

McKiness Excavating, of Mason City, was awarded  the contract for the work. McKiness submitted a bid of

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$1,759,232.  The project includes 37-foot wide PCC street pavement, driveways, street lighting, along with substantial water main and storm sewer drainage improvements.

The project is being partially funded by special assessments against the benefitted properties.

“It is likely there will be some economic development projects there soon,” City Administrator Scott Flory told the Council.  “I would call this the most significant interchange between Ames and Albert Lea.  To have this area open for development on both sides of the street is huge.”

Last month city leaders speculated a large-scale hotel and conference center may soon be announced for the area.

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