by April Scheinoha
Reporter
It’s a year away, but Thief River Falls city leaders are preparing now for the proposed reconstruction of a section of Kendall Avenue in 2024. Meeting as the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, the Thief River Falls City Council gave its blessing for staff to continue planning for the project.
If formally approved, Kendall Avenue would be completely reconstructed from First to Third streets. This project would be similar to a project completed years ago on a section of Markley Avenue in the same neighborhood.
Water Systems Superintendent Wayne Johnson said new mains, service lines and curbs would be included in the Kendall Avenue project. City funds would fully cover the cost of main installation while property owners would be assessed for new service lines. Property owners would also be assessed for a portion of the roadway improvements.
Johnson indicated that the city mains are terrible underneath that section of Kendall Avenue, tree roots are affecting sewer service lines, and there are also lead water lines in that section of the community.
Johnson predicted they would need to complete a similar reconstruction project on a section of Tindolph Avenue sometime in the future.
Council member Steve Narverud, who sits on the Public Works Committee, admitted the proposed Kendall Avenue project may make some residents unhappy. He indicated that it will cost residents some money and lead to fewer neighborhood trees, but it will create a nicer, safer roadway.
In the future, affected property owners will have an opportunity to share their thoughts on the proposed project during public hearings.
As part of the same proposed project, the city would like to replace water main underneath First Street from Crocker Avenue to the railroad tracks, and install a new sewer main underneath the 100 block of Crocker Ave. N. Improvements may also be completed on 13th Street and possibly Sixth Street as well.