A multiphase, multiyear roadway reconstruction project to address longstanding street damage in West University Place’s west side is moving forward after City Council unanimously approved more than $216,000 in design contract work with IDS Engineering Group at the Aug. 11 City Council meeting. The entire reconstruction project cost was listed at $2.89 million in the city’s fiscal year 2024-25 budget.

Funding the project

The approved contract is below the city’s budgeted amount of $241,000 within its Capital Improvement Program budget, according to agenda documents.

City Manager Dave Beach said for the project’s construction phase, staff is looking into potential federal grant funding with local state representatives. While funding sources are being allocated, Beach said they are preparing for the project to be what they called “shovel ready” so it can proceed quickly if and when grant money becomes available.

Newly appointed Public Works Director Michael Leech said the project includes replacing older panels along the streets, which have started to crack along their slabs, which is indicative of infrastructure management replacement practices.

“This is catching streets before they get to the catastrophic condition,” Leech said. “Replacement is really good business.”

Design work is estimated for completion by June 2026, with construction happening after grant funding approval and the bidding process, city officials said.

What you need to know

The project will replace and reconstruct the following street segments affected by roadway aging:

• Case Street from Academy Street to Weslayan Street
• Case Street from Weslayan Street to College Street
• Byron Street from Academy Street to Weslayan Street
• Oberlin Street from Academy Street to Weslayan Street
• Villanova Street from Weslayan Street to College Street
• Marquette Street from Weslayan Street to College Street

How we got here

The streets were selected during a pavement management report completed in March 2022, according to agenda documents.