City commissioners on Sept. 25 approved a contract for the 2025 street paving program and moved to seek federal transportation funding for sidewalk, lighting and roadway repairs at Mayo Plaza.

Why it matters: The actions fund repair and ADA compliance work on key downtown pedestrian corridors and put pavement restoration on a firm schedule.

The commission authorized the mayor to execute a contract with BTI Contracting Inc. for placement and replacement of bituminous asphalt material for the street-paving program in the amount of $937,274.25 for the Department of Engineering. Commissioners also approved change order No. 3 for the Carr Street, Packard Avenue and Iroquois Avenue sanitary sewer line replacement project, increasing that contract by $2,099.

Separately, the commission authorized submission of an application through the Coves Interstate Planning Commission for a Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) in the amount of $150,000 to fund Mayo Plaza improvements. A commissioner noted sidewalks in Mayo Plaza are in rough shape, several lights are out and the area is not ADA compliant, making mobility difficult.

Discussion vs. decision: Commissioners approved the paving contract, the small sewer change order, and the STBG application; the STBG application will be competitive and require further staff work if funded.

Next steps: Engineering staff will proceed with the paving contract administration and submit the STBG application; any awarded grant will require follow-up design and procurement steps.