BEATRICE – Beatrice City officials have approved bids submitted by a company for infrastructure improvements at former elementary school sites, in conjunction with future residential development.


The bids from Van Kirk Brothers Contracting total just over $1.32 million for the former Paddock Lane Elementary site to be named Corral Crossing….and approximately $979,000 for the former Lincoln School site…which will be known as Heritage Heights. City Administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer says interest in the projects was strong.


"We ended up with eight bidders on both sites. The low bid came back with Van Kirk Brothers with the low bid on both of those two sites. Van Kirk has done other work...not for the City of Beatrice, but through JEO. They most recently did a housing development up in the Geneva area in which JEO was the engineer on. JEO said they had good work up there."


The company would do grading, streets, sewer and storm sewer work, likely starting in June. "Substantial completion is October and I think final completion is around Thanksgiving."  Elected officials also approved professional service agreements for both sites, with JEO Consulting Group. The company will provide engineering, construction overnight and testing services for the two planned housing developments, at a total cost of both sites up to about $230,000.


The City Council approved a bond issue backed by highway allocation funds the city street department receives, to pay for the work. The issue is for up to $2.6 million. A financial consultant for the city, Jay Spearman of Northland Securities said the issue should start producing funds for the city in about mid-June.


"Interest rate-wide, we're looking at a ten-year financing.....all-in costs right around four-point-four percent...currently."


In other matters Monday night, officials authorized closing U.S. Highway 136 for this summer’s Homestead Days parade…and related actions for sale of goods on public property, were approved by the city council. Elected officials also approved a funding request for the Beatrice Area Chamber, for Homestead Days…totaling $6,250.


A Beatrice Noon Kiwanis Club funding request was approved…$2,725…to assist with the annual MUDECAS Basketball Tournament.  Food 4 Hope was granted permission to sell goods on city property at the Chautauqua Park tabernacle, during events to be held Jun 1st, July 6th and August 3rd.


Mayor Bob Morgan issued a proclamation to observe Public Service Recognition Week, May 4th through the 10th.