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<br />City Council Minutes <br />May 1, 2006 <br /> <br />Page 4 <br /> <br />fence up on Main Street three months before construction began on the Bluff Block causing <br />traffic flow issues and so they should wait to begin construction on Jackson Place until after <br />Main Street is reopened. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Vern Hanson, MetroPlains - indicated that MetroPlains plans on constructing the Bluff <br />and Jackson blocks simultaneously and he asks that the city abide by the original plans that <br />were approved as part of past Council actions. He stated that it is very important to begin <br />construction on Jackson Place as soon as possible so the work can be completed as <br />scheduled. <br /> <br />Councilmember Farber concurred with Councilmember Dietz. He stated that city ordinance <br />allows the building official to make exceptions in emergency situations that would allow <br />construction to take place around the clock. He questioned if this is an option. Mr. Hanson <br />indicated that it was not because it may be difficult for contractors and suppliers to meet the <br />extended hours. <br /> <br />Jack Holmes, Vanman Architects and Builders - concurred with Mr. Hanson. He stated <br />that one of the main reasons for their request to reroute Main Street is so supply deliveries <br />can be received and it is unreasonable to expect contractors to work and for deliveries to be <br />made around the clock. <br /> <br />Councilmember Motin questioned if Jackson will be kept a two-way until construction <br />begins on Jackson Place. City Engineer Terry Maurer indicated that MetroPlains is <br />estimating that the transfer of Jackson Square will take place June 1 and construction will <br />begin on June 15. He stated that Jackson Avenue will remain as a two-way up until the <br />construction of Jackson Place begins. Mr. Clark stated that staff will work with MetroPlains <br />on details of the Jackson lane closure. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dietz questioned if parking could be eliminated on J ackson Avenue so it <br />could be kept a two-way street. Mr. Maurer stated that eliminating the parking to keep it <br />open as a two-way was discussed but that there is no viable way to make it work as it would <br />not line up geometrically at the Highway 10 intersection. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dietz questioned why The Bank of Elk River's Main Street access to their <br />parking lot will remain open. Mr. Clark indicated that the bank's access does not interfere <br />with the construction and that staff felt it was important to accommodate the bank so their <br />lobby can remain open during their construction. Mr. Maurer added that customers coming <br />from Parrish Avenue would not be able to access the bank unless they did a u-turn on <br />Highway 10. He noted that the bank may experience cut-through traffic that may cause the <br />access to be closed if it becomes a problem. <br /> <br />Councilmember Gumphrey questioned how the contractors plan to expedite the <br />construction projects. He stated that he has 28 years in the construction industry and he <br />knows that it is not unreasonable to expect contractors to work and receive deliveries <br />around the clock. <br /> <br />Adam Holmes, Vanman Architects and Builders - indicated that the problem with <br />asking contractors to work extended hours is that the contracts with the sub-contractors <br />have already been written and if they are rewritten, some of the subcontractors may be <br />unable to complete the job which would ultimately delay the project. He stated that he is <br />always looking for ways to speed up a project and the closure of Main Street will expedite <br /> <br />. <br />